President Trump remains focused on beef prices and has called on the Department of Justice to investigate potential anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. In an announcement on Truth Social late in the day Friday, the President said action must be taken immediately to “protect consumers, combat illegal monopolies, and ensure the corporations are not… ... Continue Reading

A U.S. Attorney has charged three research scholars from the People’s Republic of China for conspiracy to smuggle biological materials into the United States as part of ongoing investigations at the University of Michigan. The Attorney General says the men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals… ... Continue Reading

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were oversold.  December live cattle closed $2.57 higher at $221.35 and February live cattle closed $3.00 higher at $219.75.  January feeder cattle closed $3.97 higher at $319.57 and March feeder cattle closed $2.97 higher at $313.97. There was a light, sporadic round of direct cash cattle… ... Continue Reading

A University of Illinois beef specialist says bull genetics will be key in rebuilding the U.S. cattle herd. Travis Meteer, who manages the Illinois Performance-Tested Bull Sale held every February at the Illinois Beef Expo, tells Brownfield, “What we really pride ourselves on is giving as much information to the buyer as possible to make… ... Continue Reading

A fertilizer market advisor says farmers should be in for a good fall application season but there are concerns about nitrogen and phosphate supplies. Josh Linville with StoneX tells Brownfield anhydrous ammonia supplies are good now but tightening up in some areas.  “We have heard some scattered reports of northern anhydrous points already talking allocation. … ... Continue Reading

Dec. corn $4.27 and 1/4, down 1 and 1/2 centsJan. soybeans $11.17, up 9 and 1/2 centsDec. soybean meal $317.10, up $4.40Dec. soybean oil 49.68, up 33 pointsDec. Chicago wheat $5.27 and 3/4, down 7 and 3/4 centsDec. live cattle $221.35, up $2.57Jan. feeder cattle $319.57, up $3.97Dec. lean hogs $79.40, up 42 centsDec. Class… ... Continue Reading

Soybeans were higher on commercial and technical buying, ending a wide-ranging week with modest gains. There was another round of support from the underlying optimism about the trade framework with China. While China has pledged to buy U.S. beans, prices are at a premium to Brazil, which could limit the upside. Additionally, even without retaliatory… ... Continue Reading

A coalition of Michigan organizations is working to double the amount of donated food by improving food rescue efforts throughout the supply chain. Michigan Farm Bureau’s Tess Van Gorder represents the farming community on an advisory committee for the Michigan Sustainable Business Forum. “If we get to the food before it gets to a landfill, it’s not… ... Continue Reading

A pair of farmers in the Great Plains say disease pressure played a major role in how well their crops performed.    Michael Dibbern of Cairo in south-central Nebraska says corn yields were average even with two fungicide applications. “We were throwing the kitchen sink at this thing. Plant health really looked alright for the… ... Continue Reading

An economist says the ongoing war in Ukraine continues to impact exports of ag commodities.   Antonina Broyaka with Kansas State University says shipments through the Black Sea have dropped by 3 million metric tons annually since the conflict began. “The Ukrainian government of course put a lot of effort into protecting both the vessels… ... Continue Reading