What’s behind this year’s honey bee losses?

Commercial beekeepers estimate they’ve lost more than 70 percent of their colonies nationwide. Michigan State University Extension’s Ana Heck tells Brownfield, “Beekeepers are usually able to split surviving colonies to recuperate losses, but the last year we’ve seen higher losses than what we’re used to.” “We really don’t have information yet on why the colony…Continue Reading

Cattle futures higher following a sluggish start to the week

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were up on the rally in the Dow, the higher boxed beef during the session, and ahead of widespread direct business.  June live cattle closed $2.52 higher at $206.27 and August live cattle closed $2.45 higher at $202.45.  May feeder cattle closed $1.40 higher at $286.92…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 22, 2025

May corn closed at $4.75 and 3/4, down 6 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.35, up 5 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal closed at $291.90, down $1.00May soybean oil closed at 47.58, down 24 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.35 and 1/2, down 3 centsJun. live cattle closed at $206.27, up $2.52May feeder cattle closed at $286.92,…Continue Reading

Soybeans up modestly as corn, wheat drift lower

Soybeans were modestly higher on fund and technical buying, ending the session near the middle of the day’s range. Beans followed the lead of crude oil, while watching U.S. planting progress, which is slightly ahead of average at 8% complete. The trade’s monitoring tariff talks for any signs of new non-China demand. There have been…Continue Reading

Retrofitting to plant 100 acres an hour

A Michigan farmer says this season he’s been able to seed about 100 acres an hour with a new custom-built high-speed planter. Clint Hagen tells Brownfield the farm has a history of experimenting with equipment. “We just don’t ever seem to hesitate to tear something apart and put it back together,” he shares. “And, everybody…Continue Reading

Tariffs could contribute to a rise in inflation

Some ag economists are concerned trade tensions with China could lead to a rise in inflation and have long-term impacts to ag exports.  David Widmar is with Agricultural Economic Insights. “If we’re putting a tariff or a tax on goods coming into the United States, that’s going to have an impact on consumer level prices,” he…Continue Reading

Southwest Iowa planting pace has been rapid

A southwest Iowa farmer says some growers have already finished planting in his area. Ray Gaesser raises corn and soybeans in Adams County and says, “Some folks around here are completely done with corn and beans. They started two weeks ago, probably near the first of April, and there was nice weather and they just…Continue Reading

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