Soybeans, corn, wheat drift lower in quiet trade

Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling, unable to follow through on occasional mixed to firm movement. While weather looks generally non-threatening, parts of the region could use some rain. Recent private estimates have been mixed, but most have been very close to, if not slightly above, the USDA’s most recent projection. The…Continue Reading

Cattle, hog futures close higher Wednesday

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures ended the session higher, waiting for this week’s direct business to get underway. Most months briefly dipped into negative territory due to the midday decline in beef, but they were able to bounce back, somewhat, by the close. October live was up $1.32 at $239.52 and December…Continue Reading

Combined U.S./Canada cattle, hog herds mixed

Combined U.S. and Canadian cattle and hog inventory numbers were mixed when compared to a year ago. The USDA and Statistics Canada say that combined hog herd was slightly larger than this time last year at 89 million head, with a modest increase for the U.S. to 75.1 million head canceling out a 1% decrease…Continue Reading

Local grain prices responding to lack of China demand

An ag economist says the increased trade tensions between the U.S. and China are starting to negatively impact soybean prices. “We haven’t seen a big response in the futures market, but we have in the cash market,” says Frayne Olson, North Dakota State University Extension. China hasn’t purchased any U.S. soybeans for the new crop…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 27, 2025

Sep. corn closed at $3.82 and 1/2, down 5 centsSep. soybeans closed at $10.27 and 1/4, down 1 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $293.10, down $4.10Sep. soybean oil closed at 52.47, down 29 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.02 and 1/4, down 7 and 1/4 centsOct. live cattle closed at $239.52, up $1.32Sep. feeder…Continue Reading

Self-insurance model called captive insurance

An insurance specialist is encouraging farmers to consider a risk management tool called captive insurance. Van Carlson says his company, SRA 831 (b) Admin, helps business owners develop a self-insurance model. “If I have a huge deductible on my building, or have an actual cash value minus depreciation. Which means if I have a 20-year…Continue Reading

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