Watch for red crown rot in soybeans

A field agronomist in eastern Missouri says farmers should be monitoring soybeans for red crown rot, a new soil-borne fungal disease in the state. “About the time you’re spraying fungicide is probably when you’ll start to see it.” Scott Gard with Pioneer says the disease that causes reduced yields and pre-mature plant death was confirmed…Continue Reading

Hoeven says CCC funds will get replenished

Some in the ag industry have expressed concern that funds for the USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation weren’t replenished in U.S. House-passed continuing resolution.  But John Hoeven, chairman of the Senate Ag Appropriations Subcommittee, says he’s not worried and it will get replenished at the end of the (fiscal) year.  “If you look at a cash…Continue Reading

Be cautious with ag burning this spring

Un-controlled brush and grass fires have been reported across Missouri this spring. Missouri Fire Marshal Tim Bean says there have been more than 300 fires across the state in the first few months this year and some have impacted hundreds of acres. That’s why it’s important to make sure conditions are right before burning ground.…Continue Reading

U.S. Senate to vote on government funding plan

The director of the Gardner Agricultural Policy Program at the University of Illinois says Friday’s scheduled U.S. Senate vote on a Continuing Resolution to keep the government operating will raise questions no matter the outcome. “There is no good situation that involves a government shutdown.” Jonathan Coppess tells Brownfield, “What does it mean if you continue…Continue Reading

Cattle futures waiting on direct business to develop

Cattle futures waiting on direct business to develop

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, and feeders were lower, waiting for direct business to develop.  Boxed beef was mixed at midday.  April live cattle closed $.65 higher at $202.05 and June lives closed $.40 higher at $198.27.  April feeder cattle closed $.75 lower at $297.97 and May feeder cattle closed $.35…Continue Reading

Dairy robots change but don’t eliminate labor

A Minnesota family that converted from a milking parlor to robotic milking says the change improved herd health and allowed them to focus on what they’re good at.  Suzanne Vold with Dorrick Dairy near Glenwood, Minnesota tells Brownfield the decision to move from milking in a parlor to robotic milking was a combination of labor…Continue Reading

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: March 13, 2025

May corn closed at $4.65 and 1/4, up 4 and 1/2 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.10 and 3/4, up 10 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $307.10, up $6.90May soybean oil closed at 41.28, down 40 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.62 and 1/2, up 8 and 1/2 centsApr. live cattle closed at $202.05, up…Continue Reading

Food & ag industries urging MAHA Commission to use sound science

Many in the food and ag industries are urging the newly established Make America Healthy Again Commission to prioritize sound science and data in its upcoming product evaluations. John Bode, president of the Corn Refiners Association, says decisions that aren’t rooted in fact are a disservice to public health and consumer trust.  “Decisions are made…Continue Reading

Soybeans, corn, wheat buy back some losses

Soybeans, corn, wheat buy back some losses

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. CONAB raised its soybean estimate for Brazil 0.8% on the month to 167.37 million tons, but it’s still below the most recent official USDA guess, with harvest over 60% complete. If realized, that would be up 13.3% from last year.  The Rosario Grain Exchange Argentina cut its…Continue Reading

Ohio Master Farmers make up nearly a century of no-till

This year’s Ohio Master Farmers share nearly a hundred years of no-till experience between them. Piketon County’s Dan Corcoran farms in partnership with his brothers and nephew raising corn, soybeans, wheat, popcorn, and beef cows. “Our biggest challenge is we farm on a lot of sandy ground so drought is our worst enemy, and we…Continue Reading

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