Cash hogs sharply lower Wednesday

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were down and feeders were sharply lower, watching the direct cash markets. There’s also some talk boxed beef has put in its seasonal high. August live was $.10 lower at $182.25 and October was down $.10 at $183.20. August feeders were down $1.37 at $254.35 and September was $2.25…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 10, 2024

Sep. corn closed at $3.95 and 3/4, up 1 and 3/4 centsAug. soybeans closed at $11.13 and 1/4, down 18 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $339.20, down $6.10Aug. soybean oil closed at 46.34, down 61 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.61 and 1/2, down 10 and 1/2 centsAug. live cattle closed at $182.25, down 10 centsAug.…Continue Reading

Farmers explore vegetable opportunities

Farmers are learning about adding vegetables to their row crop operations.  Steve Rachut grows onions, potatoes, corn, and soybeans near Fertile, where he hosted a Practical Farmers of Iowa field day Wednesday. He says there’s interest in vegetable production. “And trying to figure out if there’s a way to try and grow more vegetables and…Continue Reading

IL Congresswoman: Trade message resonates

Illinois Representative Nikki Budzinski says the importance of trade is not lost on the state’s Congressional delegation. “I think we do need to be doing more, and I am looking for new markets for our growers.”  She says, “I know that’s something that I hear very loud and clear that we need.” Earlier this year,…Continue Reading

Beryl rains are “perfect timing” for many states

A senior science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says the widespread rains that Tropical Storm Beryl brought through the Corn Belt this week was perfectly timed. Eric Snodgrass says parts of Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan received up to four inches of rain. “I look at this as being a major deciding factor on the…Continue Reading

Modest weekly changes for ethanol production, supply

U.S. ethanol production declined slightly last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.054 million barrels per day, down 10,000 on the week, partially due to flooding impacting transportation in and out of plants. That was still up 22,000 on the year, with strong operating margins supporting production. Iowa State University’s Center for…Continue Reading

July outlooks forecast heat and rains for Corn Belt

A National Weather Service meteorologist says summertime heat is expected to return to the Corn Belt. Ed Shimon says forecasts show above normal temperatures are likely this month. “There’s a pretty strong heat wave in the western third of the United States, and that’s going to start to shift to the east for the middle…Continue Reading

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