Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle closed higher ahead of the start of widespread direct cash business. February live was up $1.12 at $231.60 and April was $1.22 higher at $232.20. January feeders were $.70 higher at $350.25 and March was up $.75 at $345.32. Direct cattle markets were quiet. Asking prices were $232…… Continue Reading
USDA announces commodity payment rates for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
The USDA has announced the per-acre payment rates for the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) Program. Eleven billion dollars is targeted to row crop producers. Eligible corn farmers will receive just over $44 per acre, soybean farmers will receive just over $30 per acre, wheat farmers will receive just over $39 per acre, and…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 31, 2025
Mar. corn $4.40 and 1/4, down 1/4 centJan. soybeans $10.30 and 1/2, down 15 and 3/4 centsJan. soybean meal $294.50, down $2.20Jan soybean oil 48.07, down 86 pointsMar. Chicago wheat $5.07, down 3 and 3/4 centsFeb. live cattle $231.60, up $1.12Jan. feeder cattle $350.25, up 70 centsFeb. lean hogs $85.10, down 35 centsJan. Class III…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, wheat end 2025 on a down note, corn closes mixed
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. Crop conditions look favorable in Brazil, with more rain in the near-term forecast and early harvest activity underway in some areas. Parts of Argentina has been short-changed by rain recently, but soil moisture levels are still mostly good. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange says 82% of Argentina’s…… Continue Reading
Weak Chinese buying and South American weather keep soybean prices steady heading into the new year
The vice president of farm services with NAU Country Insurance says the soybean market is entering the new year waiting for news. Rich Morrison tells Brownfield, “The managed funds really loaded up on that announcement back in late fall, and now you’ve seen them start to sell out some of their length almost on a…… Continue Reading
Changes coming to H-2A guestworker program could lower wage rates for farmers in 2026
An ag labor specialist says a new streamlined process for the H-2A guestworker program could help lower the wage rate for farms in 2026. Margaret Jodlowski with Ohio State University says employers will pay wages based on tiers of job experience. “It’s going to relieve a little bit of that burden in terms of the wage…… Continue Reading
Dairy prices mixed at CME on New Year’s Eve
Cash dairy prices were mixed on Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up 0.0050 to 0.7350. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down 0.0100 to 1.3750. Eight sales were recorded, ranging from 1.3750 to 1.3825. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at 1.4000. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were down 0.0050 at 1.4000. Seven sales were recorded ranging from 1.3500 to 1.3875. Nonfat dry…… Continue Reading
Dairy prices mixed at CME on New Years Eve
Cash dairy prices were mixed on Wednesday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up 0.0050 to 0.7350. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down 0.0100 to 1.3750. Eight sales were recorded, ranging from 1.3750 to 1.3825. Cheese barrels remained unchanged at 1.4000. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were down 0.0050 at 1.4000. Seven sales were recorded ranging from 1.3500 to 1.3875. Nonfat dry…… Continue Reading
Ethanol production solid during week of Christmas
U.S. ethanol production held up well during the week of Christmas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production 1.12 million barrels per day, rising 25,000 on the week and 9,000 on the year, boosted by demand expectations and good returns. The Iowa State University Center for Agricultural and Rural Development says the estimated operating margin…… Continue Reading
See Randy Travis’ Incredible New Custom Wheelchair
Non-country fans will see this special wheelchair as a simple expression of faith, but real Randy Travis fans will get the deeper meaning. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
