The USDA is granting more than $35 million to independent meat processors to boost processing capacity and expand market opportunities. Independent meat processors in 12 states including Arkansas, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska will receive funding from USDA. In Missouri, America’s Heartland Packing being built outside of St. Louis...
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says he’s encouraged to hear a new farm bill could be completed by the end of 2024, because U.S. farmers need certainty. “I’ve got confidence in the leadership of the U.S. House and Senate that as they begin discussions in earnest that they’ll ultimately get to...
Colombia has moved to impose additional tariffs on U.S. milk powder imports. Jaime Castenada with the National Milk Producers Federation and U.S. Dairy Export Council tells Brownfield the one-month period of filing counter-arguments has passed, and their government issued a statement this week. “The Ministry of Trade announcing that they...
Soybeans were fractionally lower on fund and technical selling. It was an up and down day, as early yield results have been mixed, generally below expectations in the east, with probable harvest delays in some areas. Those yields in the east were dinged by a mostly dry finish for the...
Dec. corn closed at $4.05 and 3/4, down 7 centsNov. soybeans closed at $10.13 and 1/4, down 3/4 centOct. soybean meal closed at $319.90, up $2.00Oct. soybean oil closed at 41.75, up 76 pointsDec. wheat closed at $5.65 and 1/2, down 10 and 1/4 centsOct. live cattle closed at $179.97,...
Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were sharply higher, getting ready for direct business and Friday’s USDA Cattle on Feed report. Feeders had additional support from the lower move in corn. October live was up $1.67 at $179.97 and December was $1.27 higher at $181.12. October feeders were...
A Michigan farmer near the Ohio border soybean harvest is just starting in his area. Scott Welden tells Brownfield the last few weeks of hot, dry weather has dramatically changed crop conditions. “We do have folks running soybeans in the area,” he shares. “There’s corn silage that’s getting close to...
Biofuel groups continue to monitor the latest farm bill developments. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says the legislation can have an impact on ethanol exports. “The ag groups are going to take care of the main provisions, so we spend a lot of our time...
The CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association says U.S. soy growers face a number of challenges heading into 2025 and beyond. Kirk Leeds tells Brownfield competition from Brazil isn’t going away anytime soon. “They continue to be not only a major player but actually the largest exporter of soybeans in...
The new school year is bringing the message of agriculture to students across the state. Kevin Daugherty, education director with Illinois Ag in the Classroom, says their coordinators have hit the ground running. “89 of the 102 counties actually have a paid staff person that coordinates the efforts and go...
Commercial red meat production in August was 4.592 billion pounds. The USDA says that was down 2% on the year, with a 3% decline in beef and a slightly lower move for pork as slower processing paces for all types of cattle and hogs canceled out higher average live weights....
The senior director of communications and media relations at Ohio Farm Bureau says a recent survey measured stress levels and coping strategies in farmers. Ty Higgins says the Mental Health Alliance was formed to help farmers through tough times. “We knew about the the stressors and some of the coping...
Five farm families were honored with the 2024 Conservation Farm Family Awards at this year’s Farm Science Review. The Conservation Farm Family Awards program recognize Ohio farm families for their efforts conserving soil, water, woodland, wildlife, and other natural resources on the land they farm. Each family was awarded $400...
Leaders from the production and processing side of the dairy industry discussed what is and is not part of the USDA’s proposed changes to the Federal Milk Marketing Order system. Economists from Cornell, the University of Wisconsin, and experts from the International Dairy Foods Association, the Milk Producer’s Council, and...
The Ranking Member of the Senate Ag Committee is calling for emergency assistance to help farms stay viable into next year. From the Senate floor this week, John Boozman spoke on the economic crisis that’s building during the harvest season. “Many producers have harvested their 2024 crop and many are...