Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 14, 2025

Jul. corn closed at $4.45 and 1/2, up 3 centsJul. soybeans closed at $10.77 and 3/4, up 5 and 1/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $291.90, down $1.40Jul. soybean oil closed at 52.32, up 84 pointsJul. wheat closed at $5.24 and 3/4, up 7 and 1/2 centsJun. live cattle closed at $213.95, down $2.37Aug. feeder…Continue Reading

Minnesota farmer brings new crops into rotation

A farmer in west-central Minnesota added some new crops to his rotation this year. Nathan Collins of Murdock says he’s growing sugarbeets, kidney beans, and organics for the first time. “Looking at forecasting out long-term. Short-term, it would be nice to have something a little more profitable. But long-term, I think it’s just a better…Continue Reading

Turkey hatchery numbers decline in April

Turkey hatchery numbers continue to point to lower production in 2025 than 2024. The USDA says 24.773 million turkey eggs were in incubation on May 1st, 2025, down 1% from April 1st of this year and modestly less than May 1st of last year. That’s partially due to a decline in layer inventory caused by…Continue Reading

CRP enrollments open for 40th year

Farmers can now sign up for continuous and general Conservation Reserve Program options through USDA’s Farm Service Agency. South Dakota farmer Lynn Tjeerdsma has had land enrolled in the program since it began 40 years ago. “CRP is no longer considered where we put the whole landscape in, the whole farm,” he says. “We need…Continue Reading

Planting winding down in southwest Iowa

Planting winding down in southwest Iowa

Planting has wrapped up for a southwest Iowa farmer. Ray Gaesser tells Brownfield he finished his last field on Monday but the bulk of his progress ended last week. “Most people have finished up around here. I will say that the corn stands look really good and the soybean stands look good. We’re off to…Continue Reading

Ethanol leaders pleased with 45Z inclusion, but room for improvement

Biofuel industry leaders are happy to see the proposed extension of Clean Fuel Production Credits known as 45Z in the Budget Reconciliation Bill, but they say there’s room for improvement. Brian Jennings with the American Coalition for Ethanol tells Brownfield the prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements that were tied to most of the Biden era…Continue Reading

Push continues to shore up Illinois food system funding

The deputy director of the Illinois Stewardship Alliance says several groups are working to ensure a state program aimed at strengthening local food systems continues. Liz Rupel says the Local Food Infrastructure Grant (LFIG) has helped farmers expand and brought more economic resilience to communities.   “Nineteen projects across the state.”  She says, “All the…Continue Reading

Broiler sets, placements larger than last week, last year

Another week, another week-to-week and year-to-year rise for broiler sets and placements. The USDA says 251.651 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation, up 891,000 on the week and 1% on the year, with average hatchability remaining at 79%. 193.577 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, 817,000 above a week ago and 1%…Continue Reading

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