A lender says most dairy farms have been financially healthy during this ag economic downturn, but they’re reluctant to expand or make capital investments. Curtis Gerrits is the Senior Animal Ag Lending Specialist for Compeer Financial. He tells Brownfield most of the time when milk prices are good, farmers are upgrading or expanding by building…… Continue Reading
Agriculture awaits the details of Trump’s tariff-funded aid package
The chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee says he’s optimistic the Trump administration will announce more details of farmer assistance “fairly soon.” Jason Smith tells Brownfield the government shutdown doesn’t help the timing. “They (the administration) are just trying to keep the doors open and funded right now, which is affecting us…… Continue Reading
Hemp seed meal approved for laying hens, opening new market for U.S. farmers
The president of the Hemp Feed Coalition (HFC) says approval of hemp seed meal for laying hens is the latest step in expanding markets for hemp growers. Andrew Bish says hemp grain brings many benefits to poultry. “Hemp seed meal versus corn, you’re going to see upwards of three times of protein per serving.” He…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn edge higher as harvest advances and trade talks loom
Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying. Support was tied to the optimism about tariff talks with China and the potential for trade aid. Still, those tariff discussions are a few weeks away and that potential trade aid has been thrown into question by the current partial shutdown of the federal government. Additionally, cash…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: October 8, 2025
Dec. corn $4.22, up 2 and 1/4 centsNov. soybeans $10.29 and 1/2, up 7 and 1/2 centsDec. soybean meal $278.00, up $1.10Dec. soybean oil 51.48, up 44 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.07 and 1/4, up 1/2 centDec. live cattle $238.87, up $1.15Nov. feeder cattle $368.82, up $4.57Dec. lean hogs $86.10, down 7 centsNov. Class III milk…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures sharply higher, lean hogs lower
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher, with feeders continuing to take the lead on the tight supply of market ready numbers. December live was up $.75 at $1.15 and February was $1.50 higher at $242.22. November feeders were $2.57 higher at $268.82 and January was up $4.52 at…… Continue Reading
HPAI detected at West Michigan turkey farm
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ottawa County. State officials say the commercial flock is the third detection of the virus in the county this year, with 30,000 turkeys impacted this month. Reports of HPAI cases on commercial poultry operations have started to increase across the…… Continue Reading
U.S. poultry industry still recovering from HPAI losses ahead of World Egg Day
The American Egg Board says the industry is still recovering from losses caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza as the fall bird migration season picks up. CEO Emily Metz tells Brownfield more than 70 million birds were lost between last October and this March. “We’re repopulating it as quickly as we can, but we’re still…… Continue Reading
Shutdown delaying key U.S. agriculture trade activities
An agriculture leader says the government shutdown is preventing trade opportunities from being finalized. National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles says his trip to Japan last week with the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture ended before it even began. “It costs us time,” he says. “It misses an opportunity for us to finally, finally get a…… Continue Reading
Corn and soybean storage could cost farmers more in 2025
An ag economist at Ohio State University says a recent study shows on-farm storage could be more expensive than prior years. Professor emeritus Carl Zulauf says changes in interest rates have contributed to an uptick in storage costs. “Soybeans are 2.5 times the price of corn, so there’s a higher price per bushel,” he says. “In…… Continue Reading
