Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling, trimming the weekly gains slightly. Crop ratings in Argentina were up on the week after the recent and harvest weather looks good in Brazil. Some private firms have lowered their crop guess for Brazil, but it should still be record large. The USDA’s updated supply, demand,…… Continue Reading
Questions remain about USDA funding freeze
The vice president of public policy at the American Farm Bureau Federation says there are still many questions as USDA evaluates program funding in the Inflation Reduction Act, but “the secretary wanted to make sure farmers who are made a promise by the government that the government upheld the promise.” The USDA recently said it…… Continue Reading
Poultry production up in January
U.S. poultry production was higher in January. The USDA says 4.613 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome last month, up 1% on the year, with a 2% increase for chicken to 4.186 billion pounds canceling out a 5% decrease in turkey at 415.219 million pounds. The chicken slaughter rose 1%, while the turkey slaughter…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 21, 2025
Mar. corn closed at $4.91 and 1/4, down 6 and 3/4 centsMar. soybeans closed at $10.39 and 1/2, down 6 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $294.80, down $1.20Mar. soybean oil closed at 46.81, down 45 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.90, up 4 and 1/2 centsApr. live cattle closed at $193.95, up 15 centsMar. feeder cattle…… Continue Reading
January cattle placements see year-to-year rise
The USDA says 1.822 million cattle entered U.S. feedlots during January 2025. That was an increase of 2% from January 2024, towards the low end of the range of pre-report estimates. Weather was likely a factor. Most of those cattle weighed less than 800 pounds. Overall placements could continue to rise in the coming months…… Continue Reading
National FFA Officer stops in MO for FFA Week
The Western Region Vice President of National FFA Organization says there is a place for everyone in the FFA. Abby Jacobsen says “to carry our world into its next era, we’re going to need all types of people to move people forward as we continue to feed the world.” Jacobsen is from the central valley…… Continue Reading
Milk production down in January, 5% of dairies closed in 2024
U.S. milk production was up fractionally in January as dairy farmers worked to grow their herds. Production in the U.S. totaled more than 19 billion pounds with production per cow down seven pounds from last year. USDA says farmers increased the dairy herd size by 40,000 head from last year and 10,000 from the prior…… Continue Reading
Bright future for MO FFA
The president of Missouri FFA says the future of agriculture is bright. Andi Belt from northeast Missouri tells Brownfield “these kids just getting started in the organization have a really good future ahead and it gives me confidence we’re in good hands the next few years.” Belt says not only has she been meeting with…… Continue Reading
Bill banning lab-grown protein dies in SD Senate
A bill that would have banned the sale of lab-grown protein for 10 years in South Dakota has failed in the Senate. A second vote was considered after a tie vote on Wednesday, but lawmakers decided not to consider the measure again. In a statement, bill sponsor and representative John Sjaarda told Brownfield he was…… Continue Reading
John Deere confirms 119 layoffs in Ankeny, Iowa
John Deere is planning a workforce reduction at its Des Moines Works plant in Ankeny, Iowa. In a statement to Brownfield, Deere says 119 employees are losing their jobs as part of a three-group layoff throughout March and April. The company says the layoffs are occurring because of reduced demand for the products produced in…… Continue Reading
