Ag economist says cotton demand a headwind

An extension economist with the University of Arkansas says demand continues to be a headwind for the U.S. cotton market this year. Scott Stiles tells Brownfield the biggest cotton buyer, China, is expected to purchase less cotton than last year. “Last year, their imports were around 50 million bales and this year, they’re expected to…Continue Reading

A lower net farm income expected in MO

Missouri’s net farm income is expected to decline again this year for the second year in a row. In a new report, the University of Missouri’s Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center says 2024 net farm income is $3.66 billion. However, this is still one of the highest net farm incomes on record for…Continue Reading

Iowa corn harvest at 45%, soybeans 81% harvested

Harvest is well ahead of the usual pace in Iowa. USDA’s latest weekly crop report says corn harvest, at 45 percent done, is three days faster than a year ago and nearly a week ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans are 81 percent harvested, compared to 68 percent last year and 59 percent normally. Farmers…Continue Reading

Better-than-expected corn and soybeans in NW MO

A farmer in northwest Missouri says the harvest is well ahead of schedule and has been surprisingly good this year. Dylan Rosier tells Brownfield his hopes weren’t too high for corn this fall. “We were probably looking at close to a record yield on our farm this year and none of us expected that. It’s…Continue Reading

Minnesota soybean harvest 2 weeks ahead of normal

Minnesota farmers took advantage of another week of mild fall weather. USDA’s latest weekly crop update says with more than six days suitable for fieldwork, soybean harvest advanced to 88 percent with corn 43 percent harvested. The pace for soybeans is almost two weeks faster than the five-year average, and corn harvest is four days…Continue Reading

Mississippi River levels critically low

The head of the Soy Transportation Coalition says he’s concerned about the decreasing water levels along the Mississippi River. Mike Steenhoek says Hurricane Helene provided only a short-term boost to waterways. “That water has largely expelled through the system and so now we’re back to pretty low levels.” He tells Brownfield levels are getting critically…Continue Reading

Diesel price outlook amid cooler temperatures

A fuel economist says diesel prices have increased across the U.S. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, says the price jump is a seasonal shift. “As we see diesel demand going up from agriculture season and harvest happening, we’re also seeing heating oil use start to go up as temperatures cool off.…Continue Reading

Good yields, dry crops in central South Dakota

A central South Dakota farmer says corn and soybean harvest are moving quickly and the crops have yielded well.  But Chuck Todd in Sully County tells Brownfield corn and soybeans have come out of the field very dry. “Soybeans were a little hard to harvest and they dried very early. The corn looks super, but…Continue Reading

Warm, dry conditions continue to progress MO harvest

Above normal temperatures and below normal rainfall continue to encourage harvest progress across Missouri. USDA says 73% of the state’s corn is harvested, an increase of 11 percentage points from the previous week. Soybean harvest is 41% complete, nearly double the progress from the previous week. Missouri’s cotton harvest is 38% complete and rice harvest…Continue Reading

Playlist