Bob Huffman will lead MFA Incorporated starting September 1, succeeding Ernie Verslues, who is retiring after almost 40 years with MFA Incorporated. Huffman is currently the president and CEO of a First District Association, a Minnesota dairy cooperative. He also worked as the vice president of manufacturing operations for Dairy Farmers of America. And he… ... Continue Reading

University of Wisconsin research is seeking fungicide use alternatives for potato growers after a popular product became more restricted.  Plant disease expert Amanda Gevens says ongoing research is looking at fungicide application on potatoes at various times, rates, and sequences to keep disease inoculum, low during the growing season, including applications at hilling time. “That… ... Continue Reading

The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association is taking a larger role in the show ring with its new Showcase Series initiative to more actively engage with youth. Past president Earl Souva tells Brownfield, “We just want to use the show ring as a tool to develop leadership, to help foster that interest in the industry.” He says… ... Continue Reading

Sep. corn closed at $3.96, down 3 and 1/4Aug. soybeans closed at $10.04 and 1/4, down 8 and 1/4 centsAug. soybean meal closed at $270.30, down $1.10Aug. soybean oil closed at 53.75, up 26 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.45, down 9 and 1/2 centsAug. live cattle closed at $222.20, up $2.97Aug. feeder cattle closed at… ... Continue Reading

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher on the direct cash strength during the session. Additionally, there are some supply questions due to the suspension of live cattle imports from Mexico and proposed tariff on Brazil, which would impact beef imports. Feeders picked up additional support from the lower move in… ... Continue Reading

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, adding to what would have already been a down week. The USDA lowered its production guess slightly to 4.335 billion bushels due to acreage changes, while raising new crop U.S. ending stocks to 310 million bushels on a reduced export estimate, now seen at 1.745 billion bushels… ... Continue Reading

USDA’s latest supply and demand estimates say the U.S. will produce more cows, more milk, and more production in July. More cows plus more milk-per-cow have put milk production forecasts for this year and next higher. USDA projects July milk production will be 228.3 billion pounds, up from 227.8 billion in June.  Looking ahead to… ... Continue Reading

An agronomist with Beck’s Hybrids says the corn and soybean crops in his area are set up for a good season. Chad Kalaher, who covers the northeast quarter of the state, says it’s now all about the rain. “We’re in a real critical time.”  He says, “You get rainfall somewhere in that 10 days around… ... Continue Reading

Purdue University Extension’s corn specialist says nitrogen deficiency in some parts of the state could impact the crop as it approaches pollination.  Dan Quinn says periods of heavy rainfall contributed to nitrogen loss. “There’s a pretty good indication that in some of these areas of the state that have caught 5 to 6 or 7 to 8… ... Continue Reading

The USDA raised its 2025 pork and broiler production projections, while cutting beef, turkey, and egg expectations. Beef production is now pegged at 26.188 billion pounds, 170 million less than June on a slower slaughter pace and lighter dressed weights, with an average steer price of $221.31 per hundredweight, down $.20, along with higher imports… ... Continue Reading