Drought expansion continues in Ohio

A north-central Ohio farmer says drought conditions are starting to linger into his area of the state. Steve Reinhard raises soybeans, corn, wheat, malting barley, and hay near Bucyrus. “We’ve gone about four weeks now without any water,” he said. Speaking to Brownfield at the 2024 Farm Progress Show, he said crop conditions have been…Continue Reading

Push for year-round E15 ramping up as 2025 nears

Biofuel groups are still pursuing a federal fix for year-round E15. Robert White, senior vice president of industry relations and market development for the Renewable Fuels Association, says yearly summer waivers are not a long-term solution. “Next year the springtime is going to be madness when it comes to E15,” he said. “If we get…Continue Reading

South America remains big influence on crop prices

South American crop production continues to influence U.S. corn and soybean prices. Paragon Economics risk manager Jamey Kohake says 2024 has been challenging for growers in Brazil. “Mainly just planting weather, is it going to dry out and maybe switch some acres? Or get too wet and delayed (planting)? But that will be the issue…Continue Reading

How autonomy is revolutionizing ag productivity

 The founder and CEO of Sabanto Ag says autonomous technology is making the ag sector more productive. Craig Rupp says new AI technology can help farmers who don’t want to buy new equipment. “You’re going to see autonomy over the years being more and more prevalent, and I’m seeing it on a smaller scale, farmers…Continue Reading

Low farm income anticipation weighs on future expectations

Farmers surveyed in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer are expressing greater concern about how weakening commodity prices could impact farm income. Jim Mintert with Purdue’s Center for Commerical Agriculture says… “The Farm Financial Performance Index gave us one of the weakest readings we’ve ever gotten for that index,” he says. “It doesn’t go…Continue Reading

Allendale yield survey close to USDA projections

A brokerage firm’s survey of farmers shows corn and soybean yields are not much different from USDA’s recent predictions. Lynsey Such with Allendale tells Brownfield their survey shows corn yields slightly below USDA’s estimate. “The USDA is at 183.1. Our survey would suggest 182.5 so nothing too drastic, but that is slightly under USDA. Beans…Continue Reading

Farmers still investing in new technologies

The general manager of a central Illinois based precision ag dealer says many farmers are still investing in new technology despite the economic slowdown. Lloyd Lewis, with Linco Precision, tells Brownfield… “It’s a broad spectrum.”  He says, “Some are looking to upgrade their planters. Some are interested in autonomy because in a way it’s free…Continue Reading

CME cash dairy prices mixed Wednesday

CME cash dairy prices mixed Wednesday

Cash dairy prices were mixed Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  Dry whey was down $0.0050 at $0.5650.  One sale was recorded at that price.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 at $2.23.   One sale was recorded at that price.  Cheese barrels were down $0.01 at $2.25.  One sale was recorded at that price.  Butter…Continue Reading

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