The latest Rural Mainstreet Index found that lower farm commodity prices have pushed bank loans to a record high. Creighton University economist Ernie Goss says the July survey of rural bank CEOs revealed some concerns about farmer profitability. “We asked the bankers what the number one issue facing their local economy is. By far it…… Continue Reading

A dairy economist says herd size and milk production are growing. Corey Geiger with CoBank tells Brownfield, “It’s growing because dairy farmers are culling less dairy cows.” Geiger says that means milk margins are favorable for most producers.  He says if you look at the past 96 weeks, dairy farmers have collectively culled 700-thousand fewer…… Continue Reading

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange,  live and feeder cattle futures were mixed, watching direct business start to develop. August live cattle $223.67 down $.22 and October was $.42 lower at $220.32. August feeders were $.57 lower at $325 and September was down $.42 at $325.42. Direct cash cattle trade started to pick up steam Thursday…… Continue Reading

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying, along with spillover support from the strength in bean oil. Beans continue to monitor weather, which looks mostly favorable over the near-term. Longer-term outlooks do have the potential for a more stressful pattern in parts of the region, which would come during key development phases. Old…… Continue Reading