Agricultural trade experts are voicing concerns about the destruction reciprocal tariffs starting April 2nd could cause to exports. Former USDA chief economist Joe Glauber calls tariffs a tax on consumers and points to putting duties on egg imports as a prime example. ”No way you could import any egg from Turkey if you’re going to…… Continue Reading
Corn weak Friday, still up modestly on the week
Soybeans were modestly lower on fund and technical selling, compounding what would have already been a week-to-week decline. Harvest is ongoing in South America, putting a lot of soybeans and eventually soybean products onto the market. The USDA’s updated supply, demand, and production numbers, and CONAB’s new estimates for Brazil are both out April 10th.…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 21, 2025
May corn closed at $4.64 and 1/4, down 4 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.09 and 3/4, down 3 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $300.30, up $3.20May soybean oil closed at 42.01, down 70 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.58 and 1/4, up 1 centApr. live cattle closed at $206.95, down $1.52Apr. feeder…… Continue Reading
Plugfest helps ensure farm equipment compatibility
Engineers from many farm equipment manufacturers will be making sure modern implements work with different brands of tractors. Ryan Milligan is with the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation. He tells Brownfield, “This is an international conglomerate of equipment manufacturers that have come together to make interoperability between tractors and implements of different brands compatible.” Milligan says…… Continue Reading
Egg production falls sharply in February
Egg production declined in February 2025. The USDA says 7.85 billion eggs were produced in February of this year, down 9% from February of last year. That was primarily due to the culling of some flocks because of the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza. The number of laying hens on March 1st was 8%…… Continue Reading
Managing nitrogen with irrigation
An irrigation specialist is hearing farmer concerns about nutrient management ahead of the growing season. Mike Kilmer with Apple Irrigation says there’s a common theme among growers he works with. “The biggest concern that growers have right now is getting their nitrogen applied in a proper manner.” Speaking to Brownfield at the North American Farm…… Continue Reading
Forecasting tool helps decide when to spread manure
There is an online tool Wisconsin farmers can use to help decide when to spread manure. Andrea Topper with Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection tells Brownfield knowing when to spread to avoid having nutrients runoff into ditches and waterways is important for both field fertility and water quality, and the Runoff Risk…… Continue Reading
Ohio leaders pushing E-15 expansion
The executive director of Ohio Corn and Wheat says E-15 remains a critical component of profitability. Tadd Nicholson tells Brownfield, “The farm economy is really low right now and farmers are concerned. They’re looking at the books coming into this crop that they’re about ready to plant. Something from the federal government that would give…… Continue Reading
Demand for U.S. pork benefits from a fair trade environment
The National Pork Producers Council says tariffs can slow demand for U.S. pork on the global market. Maria Zieba, vice president of government affairs with NPPC, says that when tariffs aren’t an issue, customers prefer U.S. pork. “Not only is it because it’s healthy and affordable, but it’s also a quality issue and a safety…… Continue Reading
Corn growers take tariff message to D.C.
The vice president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association says numerous Midwestern corn farmers recently took their message to Washington, D.C. “Trade and tariffs came up continuously.” Mark Bunselmeyer, who farms in Macon County, says much of the discussion centered on the lower corn demand potentially caused by tariffs. “I was with a group that…… Continue Reading
