Soybeans fell again on Friday. November beans were down 6 cents at $10.27. China was absent again from this week’s Export Sales report, and the market didn’t lose sight of that. The USDA reported two sizable sales of soybeans to unknown destinations early on Friday. With continued dry weather, the trade is looking ahead to…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: September 05, 2025
Dec. corn $4.18 down 1and 3/4 centsNov. soybeans $10.27 down 6 centsOct. soybean meal $280.50 up 40 centsOct. soybean oil 50.81 down 70 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.19 and 1/4 down 1/4 centOct. live cattle $235.97 down 97 centsOct. feeder cattle $357.95 down $1.05Oct. lean hogs $96.02 up $1.00Oct. Class III milk closed at $16.87, down…… Continue Reading
Wisconsin’s ag department proposes large livestock fee increases
A farm organization is urging livestock producers and marketers to push back against Wisconsin’s proposed animal health fee increases. Jason Mugnaini with Wisconsin Farm Bureau tells Brownfield the changes would be to administrative rules ATCP 10 and ATCP 12 governing animal disease and movement, animal markets, animal dealers, and livestock truckers. “This proposal shifts the…… Continue Reading
Farm Labor Survey nixed
An ag labor specialist says a fix to H-2A wage rates isn’t expected anytime soon. Michigan State University’s Zach Rutledge expects a legal challenge to USDA’s elimination of the Farm Labor Survey based on its actions in 2020. “And a judge ordered that they continue to collect the data, so I imagine there’s going to…… Continue Reading
Illinois mid-year land values dip slightly
A farm management specialist with the University of Illinois says some farmland values declined slightly in the first half of 2025. Gary Schnitkey says a mid-year survey of the state’s farm managers and others associated with real estate shows a continued softening. “Overall, we’re seeing slight declines in farmland prices from the beginning of the…… Continue Reading
Economist says beef cow slaughter remains a statistic to watch
A livestock economist says the slowdown in beef cow slaughter this year is significant. Kenny Burdine with the University of Kentucky says it is about 17 percent below last year. “I’m pretty convinced we’re going to see more cows in 2026,” he says. “Not a big number, but something probably in a 1/2 percent range…… Continue Reading
Long-term ag research keys in on profitability
An extension educator says research comparing the profitability of different management systems should help farmers better adapt to weather and market volatility. Christine Charles has been studying profitability outcomes from Michigan State University’s Long-Term Agroecosystem Project for the past three years. “We’re finding that even when our corn hasn’t yielded as much in the aspirational system, we are…… Continue Reading
Retired fire chief now SoyFoam advocate
A retired firefighter and cancer survivor is urging widespread adoption of SoyFoam. Pat Butler joined the fire service in 1975 and used high-expansion foams containing PFAS chemicals for decades. “We used it, we trained with it, I mean, I’d wallowed in it up to my knees in the foam,” he shares. “You’re always working with…… Continue Reading
Superior Ag’s new Ohio River terminal could help increase fertilizer access for farmers
The president and CEO of Superior Ag says its new Ohio River terminal could help increase fertilizer access for farmers. Richard Lloyd says the more than $20 million facility is designed to meet growing demand. “It will be just a little over 30 thousand tons of dry capacity to be able to store fertilizer,” he…… Continue Reading
Farmers for Free Trade initiative advocates for additional market opportunities
The ag industry continues to advocate for additional market access for its products. Farmers for Free Trade Executive Director Brian Kuehl says it’s critical that U.S. producers have opportunities in other countries. “Ninety-five of the world’s consumers live outside of the United States. Twenty-five percent of American farm revenue comes from exports. If we’re not…… Continue Reading
