Farmers continue to assess commodity prices and the cost of inputs heading into winter. Southwest Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser says it’s been a difficult year to market grain. “Prices are still struggling for corn and beans somewhat,” Gaesser said. “Glad to see the beans come up about a dollar here in the last month or…… Continue Reading
Avian influenza surge tests Minnesota turkey industry’s readiness
Instances of highly pathogenic avian influenza are on the rise in the nation’s largest turkey-producing state. Minnesota Turkey Growers Association executive director Ashley Kohls says cases this fall have climbed into the upper teens. “But unfortunately also that’s a pretty high percentage of nationwide cases with Minnesota being number one in turkey (and) having the…… Continue Reading
Timely fungicide applications lead to favorable soybean crop for Iowa farmer
A central Iowa farmer says his 2025 soybeans were some of the best he’s ever raised. Morey Hill of Madrid tells Brownfield, “I was very pleased with the bean yield. You hear of it being hit or miss, but I must have been a hit because it was some of the best beans I’ve ever…… Continue Reading
Southwest Iowa farmer reports strong soybeans but weaker corn
The 2025 harvest was a mixed bag for southwest Iowa farmer Ray Gaesser. “A really good harvest for soybeans. A mixed harvest I’d say on corn. Some of it was pretty good and some of it was not so good.” He tells Brownfield disease pressure had the biggest impact on his corn. “We’ve had southern…… Continue Reading
Geomagnetic storm could threaten farmers’ yield data collection
A cropping systems specialist says farmers might be at risk of losing critical yield data due to a rare, geomagnetic storm this week. Terry Griffin with Kansas State University says major disturbances in Earth’s magnetosphere may disrupt the information producers collect during the growing season. “There’s a lot of effort that goes into doing an…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: November 11, 2025
Dec. corn $4.32, up 2 and 1/4 centsJan. soybeans $11.27 and 1/4, down 2 and 3/4 centsDec. soybean meal $316.90, down $3.10Dec. soybean oil 51.10, up 52 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.36, up 1/4 centDec. live cattle $227.20, down $1.35Jan. feeder cattle $329.15, up 32 centsDec. lean hogs $82.35, down 42 centsDec. Class III milk closed…… Continue Reading
Corn disease pressure highlights benefits of higher fungicide application rates
A western Illinois agronomist says corn diseases were so prevalent this year that fungicide use rates mattered. Lance Tarochione with Bayer says applicators typically apply a standard use rate of fungicide, not the full use rate. “For most products, the full use rate is about a third more than the standard use rate, and not…… Continue Reading
Long-awaited November supply and demand report expected to create price volatility
A senior market advisor with Total Farm Marketing says all eyes will be on demand in the USDA’s long-awaited November supply and demand report. Naomi Blohm tells Brownfield, “We’re going to see if the China numbers are already included in the data or if that is going to be perceived as new demand. Corn export…… Continue Reading
Governor Pillen sees opportunities for water efficiency from Israeli innovation
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen says emerging technology in Israel could help improve water use in the Cornhusker state. He says he’s optimistic producers will be able to implement different products to help maximize the resource. For example. “We met with a company that does a lot of business in Nebraska called PhyTech. It’s about agronomy…… Continue Reading
Debate over MCOOL returns as U.S. considers Argentinian beef imports
The executive vice president of the Illinois Beef Association says talks of importing Argentinian beef have reignited calls for mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL). Josh St. Peters says it was tried in the 2002 Farm Bill but repealed in 2015. “It didn’t work.” He says, “It didn’t create any additional sustained value in the marketplace, but…… Continue Reading
