The administrator of the U.S. EPA said the agency is taking a closer look at how often Renewable Volume Obligations are adjusted under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Lee Zeldin told farmers at a Missouri roundtable “we’re debating right now. There are internal conversations on whether to set it to two or three years.” Warren Stemme,…… Continue Reading
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 19, 2025
May corn closed at $4.62, up 3 and 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.08 and 1/4, down 4 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal closed at $297.70, down $2.20May soybean oil closed at 42.36, down 18 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.63 and 1/2, down 1 and 1/2 centsApr. live cattle closed at $206.82, up $1.45Apr. feeder…… Continue Reading
Soybeans, wheat see midweek losses
Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The trade continues to monitor harvest activity in South America which is advancing in Argentina and nearing the 75% mark for Brazil. The USDA’s next supply, demand, and production report and CONAB’s updated outlook for Brazil are both out April 10th. Brazil’s basis levels are above a…… Continue Reading
Chinese ship fees disproportionally impact agriculture
The Agriculture Transportation Coalition’s Executive Director says a proposal before the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office would be devastating for exports. Peter Friedman calls proposed penalties under the Trade Act an effort by labor unions to resurrect U.S. shipbuilding, which he says has been obsolete for three decades. “The proposal under 301 would be to impose…… Continue Reading
Broiler sets drop on week, but stay ahead of last year
Broiler hatchery numbers were mixed on the week while maintaining their faster than 2024 pace. The USDA says 249.95 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, falling 2.344 million on the week, but rising 1% on the year with average hatchability at 78.7%. 191.677 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, an increase of…… Continue Reading
Ag has a big impact on the economy, despite challenges
The ag industry contributes more than $9.5 trillion to the U.S. economy, according to the ninth annual Feeding the Economy report. John Bode is CEO of the Corn Refiners Association, one of the 36 food and agriculture groups that sponsor the report. “Agriculture and its related industries are a fundamental part of the American economy,”…… Continue Reading
A whole day dedicated to trade
Indiana Governor Mike Braun proclaimed March 19th as Indiana Ag Trade Day to emphasize the importance of exports to the state’s ag industry. Indiana director of agriculture Don Lamb tells Brownfield… “Almost 25% of our commodity products are exported and so it is a really big part of our pricing structure,” he says. “Ag trade has…… Continue Reading
Brazil on track for record soybean crop
Brazil remains on track to produce a record soybean crop in 2025. Iowa State University Extension economist Chad Hart says the South American country continues to build production capacity. “They’ve been adding land, but also they’re seeing the same yield trends that we’re seeing here within the U.S. So we know that their production continues…… Continue Reading
Minnesota Farm Bureau talks legislative priorities during day on the hill
Minnesota Farm Bureau members gathered at the state capitol in St. Paul to discuss legislative priorities with lawmakers this week. President Dan Glessing says there was a lot of engagement. “We had 175 members on the Hill Tuesday, and we started out the day with some briefings of what bills we’re following. But then we…… Continue Reading
Trump tariffs a concern for ag
President Trump’s latest round of tariffs has agriculture groups concerned. Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association says soybeans and soy farmers have been the poster child of the trade wars. She says when President Trump levied Section 301 tariffs against China in 2018, China immediately retaliated with a 25% tariff on ag commodities including…… Continue Reading
