Across the Corn Belt, very cold weather lingers in the Great Lakes States and the Ohio Valley, with sub-0°F temperatures noted early today in portions of both regions. Across Illinois, daily-record low temperatures on Sunday, December 14 included -13°F in Lincoln and -8°F in Springfield. Meanwhile, light snow associated with a warm front is spreading…… Continue Reading
NPPC: a USMCA extension benefits U.S. agriculture
The vice president of government affairs at the National Pork Producers Council says an extension of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement would benefit U.S. agriculture. “More than one-quarter of our exports are going to both of those countries.” Maria Zieba tells Brownfield the three countries collaborate well, especially on sanitary and phytosanitary measures. “We’ve seen the dispute…… Continue Reading
Cattle futures up to start the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher ahead of the week’s business and Friday’s On Feed numbers from the USDA. February live cattle closed $1.00 higher at $230.55 and April live cattle closed $.63 higher at $230.02. January feeder cattle closed $.82 higher at $339.92 and March feeder cattle closed $.77…… Continue Reading
Lawmakers approve whole milk in schools, bill awaits president’s signature
Congress has approved legislation allowing schools to serve whole milk. U.S. House Ag Committee chair Glenn “GT” Thompson says the elimination of whole milk from school meals in 2010 has resulted in an entire lost generation of milk drinkers, and children are not consuming the recommended amount of dairy. “The beverage is 97% fat-free and is…… Continue Reading
Dicamba-resistant waterhemp confirmed in Missouri
Dicamba resistant waterhemp has been confirmed in west-central Missouri. Kevin Bradley with University of Missouri Extension tells Brownfield multiple rounds of testing has confirmed the resistance from a weed pulled from a field in Saline County. “We’ve had the seed from this population for a while. We’ve been doing our tests and research on it,…… Continue Reading
Slow soybean sales to China continue as timing remains unclear
China has been buying U.S. soybeans weekly since late October, but the CEO of the American Soybean Association says it’s still far from reaching its 12-million-metric-ton commitment. “We’re trying to get some clarity on exactly when are those purchases going to be made,” says Stephen Censky. Since the October meeting, Brownfield has tracked reported sales…… Continue Reading
Corn, wheat drift lower, soybeans mixed
Soybeans were mixed on spread trade. Beans consolidated, with China buying another 136,000 tons of 2025/26 U.S. soybeans ahead of the open. That pushes the running total over the last four business days to 1.225 million tons, including sales to unknown destinations, which might eventually turn out to be China. U.S. export inspections were down…… Continue Reading
Risk management key as cattle market volatility continues
An ag economist says the volatility in the cattle markets is expected to continue. Josh Maples is with Mississippi State University Extension. “This market is not someone out there pulling a lever saying ‘ope, bad news today, we’re going to push prices down or good news today we’re going to push prices up’,” he says. …… Continue Reading
Nick Reiner Arrested in Connection With Rob + Michele’s Murder
Once known for a film about his battle with addiction, Nick Reiner now faces charges in the murder of his parents, Rob and Michele Reiner. Continue reading…… Continue Reading
Southern rust outbreak keeps fungicide spending intact for Kansas corn grower
A northeast Kansas farmer says he’s not planning any cutbacks in his fungicide budget for 2026. Scott Gigstad says fungicide use was critical this past growing season due to a widespread outbreak of southern rust in corn. “The corn that was not fungicided certainly showed up quickly,” he said. He tells Brownfield he plans on…… Continue Reading
