The bill tackling water rights in Indiana has taken the next steps of advancing in the General Assembly. Director of policy engagement for Indiana Farm Bureau Caitlin Smith says the Indiana House unanimously passed Senate Bill 28. “That bill is still conference committee eligible,” she says. “We’re going to continue with filing a concurrence and really hoping…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures higher waiting on direct business to develop
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up ahead of the week’s direct business. June live cattle closed $1.97 higher at $207.40 and August live cattle closed $1.60 higher at $203.92. May feeder cattle closed $.77 higher at $287.92 and August feeder cattle closed $1.30 higher at $293.70. Direct cash cattle trade…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 2, 2025
May corn closed at $4.57 and 3/4, down 4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.29 and 1/2, down 4 and 3/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $287.20, down $5.10May soybean oil closed at 48.50, up 106 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.39 and 1/4, down 1 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $207.40, up $1.97May feeder…… Continue Reading
Spring warm up brings return of winter annuals
An agronomist with AgriGold says the recent warm temperatures have triggered the return of winter annual weeds. Brian Weihmeir, who covers central Illinois, says species like henbit and chickweed can germinate quickly. “They can create a mat in our field, and it can a lot of times cause problems with those soils not drying out.” …… Continue Reading
Rollins praises USDA’s HPAI response plan
Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says the USDA continues to help the poultry industry find solutions for highly pathogenic avian influenza. “I am not here necessarily to throw a prior administration under the bus, but I will say that not much was done in those two years when it popped its head…… Continue Reading
Farmers feeling the impact from high fertilizer prices
A fertilizer market expert says high prices are having an impact on farmers. Josh Linville is with StoneX Group and says, “They aren’t dealing with it well. This is already a year that most people will tell you farm economics don’t make a lot of sense. This is a survival year at best. Seeing these…… Continue Reading
Nebraska lawmakers debate updates to state brand law
A bill currently being debated in the Nebraska legislature could update the state’s decades-old brand law. The bill, introduced by state senator Teresa Ibach, would lower the brand inspection fee to a flat rate of $1,000 for feedlot operations in the brand inspection area. Currently, feedlot operators are charged $1 per head for their annual…… Continue Reading
Midwest farmland market solid
A farm real estate specialist says the farmland market is solid despite uncertainties in the ag economy. Jim Rothermich, vice president of Iowa Appraisal, says he expects higher land prices to stick around. “There’s a lot of bad news out there right now, but the market is just kind of shaking it off and rolling…… Continue Reading
Recent moisture improves conditions for spring planting in southeast Nebraska
A southeast Nebraska farmer says recent moisture has brought a little optimism ahead of spring planting. Logan Bredemeier tells Brownfield winter snowfall and rain from last night’s thunderstorms have improved drought conditions. “I would say there’s pockets where we’re at average to maybe on pace to meet average. There’s a couple of other pockets within…… Continue Reading
Nebraska lawmakers advance bill to ban lab-grown protein
Nebraska state lawmakers have advanced a bill that would ban the manufacturing and sale of lab-grown protein. State senator Barry DeKay of Niobrara introduced the bill at the request of Governor Jim Pillen and says the intent of the legislation is to keep the product off the shelves at grocery stores. The proposed law doesn’t ban…… Continue Reading
