Crop diseases keep custom applicators busy

Crop disease pressure is keeping a custom applicator in eastern Iowa busy. Cole Deklotz owns R & R Ag Service and says 2025 has turned into one of the wettest years in recent memory, with northern corn leaf blight reappearing. “The past few years, tar spot has been on everyone’s radar. Everyone wants to talk…Continue Reading

Looking for new ways to grow corn demand

A farmer director with the National Corn Growers Association says producers need additional markets for their crop.  J.R. Roesner says a federal fix for nationwide, year-round E-15 is the first step. “We then have to push towards higher blends of ethanol into that 20 to 30 percent range,” he says. “Farmers are very good at…Continue Reading

Live cattle mixed and feeders were higher, lean hog futures mixed

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed and feeders were higher, preparing for widespread direct business, along with Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed and Cattle Inventory reports. Live cattle did take a partial cue from the mixed midday boxed beef, while feeders had some support from the lower move in corn. August live…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: July 22, 2025

Sep. corn closed at $3.99 and 1/4, down 4 and 1/2 centsAug. soybeans closed at $10.10 and 1/4, down 4 and 3/4 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $273.80, up $3.30Aug. soybean oil closed at 55.63, down 44 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.49 and 1/2, up 7 and 1/4 centsAug. live cattle closed at $224.97, down…Continue Reading

Soybeans, corn droop on crop expectations

Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling after a two-sided session. The USDA’s national crop rating dipped, but is steady with last year, and development is close to average. At least for now, that adds up to the trade expecting a very large U.S. crop in 2025. Forecasts into early August generally look…Continue Reading

U.S. milk production up again in June

Milk production continues to grow.  USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service says June milk production in the 24 major producing states rose 3.4% over last year to 18.5 billion pounds.  USDA also revised the May report to show production rose 2.4% year-over-year to 19.3 billion pounds. Production per cow in the 24 major dairy states averaged…Continue Reading

Cash dairy mixed, cheese market quiet Tuesday

Cash dairy prices were mixed Tuesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.    Dry whey was up $0.0050 at $0.5625.  No sales were recorded.  Forty-pound cheese blocks remained unchanged at $1.6425.   Cheese barrels remained unchanged at $1.66. No cheese sales were recorded for a second straight trading session.  Butter prices were down $0.0225 at $2.4775.  Five…Continue Reading

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