A new report highlights the need for a stable agricultural workforce to support Thanksgiving dinner grown in America. Third-generation farmer Linda Pryor tells Brownfield every stage of the food supply chain is dependent on labor. “Without a reliable workforce, a farmer can grow great crops, but without employees to help get them ultimately to someone’s table,… ... Continue Reading

Farm business management coach Bret Oelke says effective labor management is a critical driver of farm profitability. Oelke, the owner of Innovus Agra, says having skilled, dependable staff is important to keep a farm productive. He says attracting a good team starts with creating a good work environment. Hear more in this Managing for Profit.… ... Continue Reading

A farmer in southeast South Dakota says winter weather has ended fall fieldwork. “We’ve got the fertilizer down. We just don’t have the ground worked yet.” Travis Mockler tells Brownfield “I’ve been messing with the cows trying to get them ready for any weather that might be coming. I think they’re talking a couple inches… ... Continue Reading

A U.S. Congressman from South Dakota says it’s unlikely Congress will pass a Farm Bill 2.0 by the end of the calendar year. Dusty Johnson tells Brownfield “I would certainly love to get it done sooner rather than later, but it’s probably gonna take a little while. There does not appear like there’s as much… ... Continue Reading

The United Soybean Board says the popularity of high oleic soybeans is growing.  Keenan McRoberts tells Brownfield the high oleic varieties are giving producers a locally-grown alternative to fat supplements in dairy rations. “It’s primarily in certain regions right now based partly on availability of seed, having the right maturity groups in the right place… ... Continue Reading

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. There’s been no confirmation on more rumored U.S. soybean purchases by China. Those could show up Friday morning, but in any event, the trade didn’t seem too disappointed by the lack of a daily sales announcement from the USDA Thursday morning. Members of the federal government… ... Continue Reading

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle futures were up sharply on technical buying ahead of Thanksgiving, monitoring a blast of winter-like weather expected to impact the major U.S. feeding areas. December live was $4.02 higher at $211.02 and February was up $5.60 at $212.92. January feeders were $8.05 higher at $315.12 and… ... Continue Reading

Dec. corn $4.31 and 3/4, up 8 and 1/4 centsJan. soybeans $11.31 and 1/2, up 6 and 3/4 centsDec. soybean meal $317.10, up 10 centsDec. soybean oil 50.87, up 57 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.29, up 1 and 3/4 centsDec. live cattle $211.02, up $4.02Jan. feeder cattle $315.12, up $8.05Dec. lean hogs $80.42, up $1.97Dec. Class… ... Continue Reading

This year’s trade dispute between the U.S. and China disrupted business for a regional grain merchandiser. CEO Kurt Haarmann says Columbia Grain International processes, handles, and exports high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics with a footprint stretching west from the Dakotas to Washington and Oregon. “China accounts for well over 95 percent… ... Continue Reading

The USDA’s broiler hatchery numbers were mixed. That’s as producers continue their efforts to meet demand and also staying wary of the recent increase in reports of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. 248.433 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, up 144,000 on the week, but down 1% on the year, with average hatchability dipping slightly,… ... Continue Reading