The Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition says farmers needed the newly announced longshoremen’s labor deal. Mike Steenhoek tells Brownfield keeping ports open maintains a consistent and reliable supply chain. “You’d rather have a predictably good supply chain than a sporatically great supply chain. You want it to be something that you can count…… Continue Reading
Michigan dairy quarantines possible following HPAI monitoring
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director says dairy farms could be quarantined following positive HPAI milk testing results. Michigan was one of the first states to participate in USDA’s raw milk testing pilot program last month to better track highly pathogenic avian influenza. State Ag Director Tim Boring tells Brownfield, “We’re moving…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures sharply higher waiting for direct business
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply higher ahead of the week’s direct business. Boxed beef was also higher at midday. February lives closed $3.90 higher at $197.60 and Select was $2.75 higher at $198.27. March feeders closed $3.32 higher at $268.30 and April feeders were $2.92 higher at $269.07. It…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: January 9, 2025
Mar. corn closed at $4.56, up 2 centsMar. soybeans closed at $9.99, up 4 and 1/2 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $299.30, down $1.50Mar. soybean oil closed at 42.76, up 117 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.34, down 2 and 1/4 centsFeb. live cattle closed at $197.60, up $3.90Mar. feeder cattle closed at $268.30, up $3.32Feb.…… Continue Reading
Most farms lack succession plan
A commercial agriculture educator with the University of Illinois Extension says many farming operations lack sufficient succession plans. Kevin Brooks says less than one in five farm owners has an estate plan in place. “And I can tell you, as somebody who has worked as a farm manager and farm trust officer, that out of…… Continue Reading
Beagle Brigade gets long-term future with new law
The popular Beagle Brigade program that helps prevent foreign pests and diseases from impacting U.S. agriculture has a more certain future thanks to a recently passed law. Chase Adams is the Assistant Vice President for Domestic Policy for the National Pork Producers Council. He tells Brownfield the new law helps guarantee the use of detector…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, corn firm ahead of several USDA reports
Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade was getting ready for the USDA numbers out Friday, including the delayed export sales report. The big report day starts with those export sales numbers at 8:30 Eastern/7:30 Central, with the other numbers coming out at Noon Eastern/11 Central. Medium-term forecasts have a return…… Continue Reading
Marshall not concerned about farm bill getting overlooked
A U.S. Senator from Kansas is hopeful Congress can pass a new farm bill in 2025. But Roger Marshall tells Brownfield he doesn’t expect farm bill discussions to begin until after Congress completes budget reconciliation. “I think we’ll probably get it done this summer and maybe the fall and it’s more just a challenge of…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmer expects more corn acres in 2025
A southwest Iowa farmer says he’ll be planting more corn acres this year. Jeff Jorgenson is in Fremont County. “We were strong in soybeans for 2024, which in turn turns into strong for corn in 2025.” He tells Brownfield the soybean market has been challenging. “The balance sheets sure don’t look good in soy. There’s…… Continue Reading
How robotics is helping shape the ag tech space
An associate professor at Purdue University says robotics could help farmers increase efficiency to advance their operations. Jian Jin says LeafSpec is a plant phenotyping device. “It’s very labor intensive for humans to operate this kind of the sensor in the field,” he says. “We need to develop the robots to help deploy those sensors…… Continue Reading
