Across the Corn Belt, a band of precipitation—rain and snow—is spreading eastward from Nebraska and Iowa. Elsewhere, warmth in the middle Mississippi Valley contrasts with chilly, dry conditions across the northern Corn Belt. Midwestern winter wheat appears to have overwintered well, with more than one-half of the crop rated in good to excellent condition at…… Continue Reading
More unseasonable warmth ahead for the Heartland; a wet, very active pattern for most
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of above-normal temperatures from the central and southern Plains to the East Coast, while colder-than-normal conditions will cover the northern High Plains and the West. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation in the south-central U.S. and southern Florida should contrast with wetter-than-normal weather across the…… Continue Reading
Cattle lower, waiting for rest of week’s direct trade
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were down on the week’s steady to lower direct business, with feeders picking up additional pressure from the higher move in corn. April live was $.27 lower at $196.27 and June was down $.07 at $192.62. April feeders were down $1.65 at $274.42 and May was $1.22 lower…… Continue Reading
Block named Outstanding Agricultural Educator
This year’s Outstanding Agricultural Educator says she’s still having fun teaching after 25 years. Melanie Block started her career at Ravenna High School in 2000. “Being able to be involved in my community and form partnerships with colleges like Grand Valley, and give the kids a chance to be successful—that’s been really rewarding for me,”…… Continue Reading
Federal funding freeze halts Illinois EATS program
The deputy director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) says the Trump administration’s federal funding freeze has halted the Illinois EATS program. Kristi Jones tells Brownfield it was part of the USDA funded Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. “Those reimbursement dollars are how we fund the lead agencies, the farmers, and the food.” She…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 6, 2025
May corn closed at $4.64, up 8 and 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.27 and 1/4, up 15 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal closed at $304.90, up $5.10May soybean oil closed at 43.17, up 18 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.54, up 5 and 3/4 centsApr. live cattle closed at $196.27, down 27 centsApr. feeder cattle…… Continue Reading
Elanco partners with Medgene to launch HPAI vaccine for dairy cattle
Elanco Animal Health has partnered with Medgene to launch the first highly pathogenic avian influenza vaccine for dairy cattle. Tim Bettington is executive vice president of corporate strategy and market development for Elanco. “Our ability to vaccinate those animals and potentially eliminate transmission also means healthier animals,” he says. “The impact to the animals is…… Continue Reading
Maximize efficiencies to create profitability
BW Fusion is a crop nutrition and biological company with an agronomic education focus. Josh Messer, Agronomy Consultant with BW Fusion and Agronomy 365 tells Brownfield they work with farmers to improve the efficiency of soils and crops throughout the entire season. Messer tells Brownfield there is more happening in the soil than a regular…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn, wheat close solidly higher
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Some forecasts have early harvest delaying rain in parts of Argentina and a couple of firms have trimmed estimates in Brazil this week. Still, while some outfits have lowered their estimates for South American production, there are going to be a lot of soybeans hitting the global…… Continue Reading
Michigan farmer: We can’t cut back on inputs anymore
A northern Michigan farmer says he’s concerned about crop protection pricing and availability in 2025. Scott Miller says he’s already planning to lower input usage and can’t risk further reductions. “We fertilize every acre. We put on just enough for the crop that we’re growing,” he says. “We’re really not in a position to cut…… Continue Reading
