Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were mostly higher, watching direct business develop and waiting for the USDA’s Cattle on Feed report, which was out after the close. October live was up $2.50 at $182.47 and December was $2.07 higher at $183.20. October feeders were $.12 higher at $243.90 and November was up…… Continue Reading
Who Remembers the Snakmaster Sandwich Maker From the ’90s?
While it wasn’t necessarily a new invention, the popular ’90s ‘As Seen on TV’ product Snakmaster turned this author and millions more into what they thought were professional sandwich makers. But wait—there’s more! Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: September 20, 2024
Dec. corn closed at $4.01 and 3/4, down 4 centsNov. soybeans closed at $10.12, down 1 and 1/4 centsOct. soybean meal closed at $317.40, down $2.50Oct. soybean oil closed at 42.16, up 41 pointsDec. wheat closed at $5.68 and 1/2, up 3 centsOct. live cattle closed at $182.47, up $2.50Oct. feeder cattle closed at $243.90,…… Continue Reading
Milk production rose slightly in August
Milk production rose slightly in August. USDA says production totaled 18.1 billion pounds, which was one-tenth of a percent more than August of 2023. USDA also revised the July figures down to 18.2 billion pounds, down three-tenths of a percent from a year ago. The July revision represented a decrease of 1 million pounds or…… Continue Reading
Down day for corn, soybeans on harvest pressure
Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling, but still managed a modestly higher weekly finish. The trade was watching harvest activity ahead of widespread rain delays in parts of the region. Early yield results have been mixed, maybe a little disappointing in eastern growing areas due to the recent dry weather. China bought…… Continue Reading
Ernst calls out Senate Ag Committee leadership over farm bill delays
U.S. Senator Joni Ernst says the lack of progress on the farm bill leads her to believe another extension is coming soon. “In the Senate, the democrats’ priorities have completely shifted away from working on the farm bill to focusing on digital commodities and cryptocurrency.” The Iowa Republican says she’s frustrated with Senate Ag Committee…… Continue Reading
Corteva announces Pairwise partnership
Corteva Agriscience says it’s partnering with tech company Pairwise to help advance climate resilience in agriculture. Tom Greene, senior director and global leader for Corteva Catalyst, says the company’s $25 million equity investment will expand the reach of gene editing to a wide variety of staple and specialty crops. “And then it surrounds sort of…… Continue Reading
August cattle placements down 1%
Placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots during August were down slightly on the year. The USDA says those placements were 1% lower than last year at 1.975 million head, with a significant number of those cattle weighing between 700 and 900 pounds, starting to head to market as early as December. That decrease was despite…… Continue Reading
Visa approval slowdown impacting ag
The secretary of the Illinois Pork Producers Association says a drastic slowdown in visa approvals by the U.S. government is impacting agriculture. Katie Brown, whose family raises hogs and row crops in Montgomery County, says a major change has happened in the past six months. “Two years ago, that process would take anywhere between three…… Continue Reading
Ag export customers visit Minnesota
Foreign buyers of U.S. ag goods recently visited the Upper Midwest. Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen says his department has welcomed delegations from Uzbekistan, Denmark, and Mexico this month. “Really looking at trade being very important for Minnesota as we look at corn and beans, but also dairy. A lot of opportunities there…… Continue Reading
