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Soybeans, corn up after USDA adjustments

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying, adding a few cents to what would have already been a higher weekly finish. The USDA lowered production, yield, and ending stocks from October, but all are should still be up on the year. South American... Read More.

Nebraska cattle producer says labor challenges are an ongoing concern

A western Nebraska cattle producer says the industry is facing headwinds as fewer generations return to the family farm. Jaclyn Wilson tells Brownfield finding qualified labor is becoming more challenging. “It’s about being competitively priced. It’s about pushing the lifestyle. It’s about, you know,... Read More.

Boozman: a farm bill is the priority

A U.S. Senator from Arkansas expected to be chairman of the 2025 Senate Ag Committee says getting a new farm bill is the priority moving forward. “This is at the top of the list,” he says. “This is all we’re going to be thinking... Read More.

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: November 8, 2024

Dec. corn closed at $4.31, up 3 and 1/2 centsJan. soybeans closed at $10.30 and 1/4, up 4 centsDec. soybean meal closed at $296.20, down $2.30Dec. soybean oil closed at 48.77, up 45 pointsDec. wheat closed at $5.72 and 1/2, up 1 centDec. live... Read More.

Recent rains improve river traffic

Recent rain in the Midwest has helped improve the flow of the Mississippi River.  Lou Dell’Orco is Chief of Operations for the Army Corps of Engineers St. Louis District.  He tells Brownfield the water levels changed drastically since early last week. “They’re up around... Read More.

USDA keeps U.S., world supply, demand changes minimal

The USDA trimmed domestic corn ending stocks a little bit on the lower 2024 crop production estimate, leaving export demand untouched for now, and slashed soybean ending stocks on the smaller crop, while also reducing exports and domestic crush. U.S. wheat ending stocks were... Read More.

Recent rains improved fall tillage conditions

A northcentral Wisconsin farmer says last week’s slow and steady rain greatly improved field conditions. T.J. Draeger tells Brownfield he had over two inches of rain a little at a time, which softened the soil.  He says early attempts at fall tillage in the... Read More.

Designer biochar pellets absorb phosphorus runoff

Researchers have developed a new material that helps remove phosphorus from field runoff and then doubles as a fertilizer. Wei Zheng, Principal Research Scientist at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois, says designer biochar... Read More.

Push for H-2A wage freeze persists

A specialty crop leader says there’s still hope the appropriations process can put a freeze on rising H-2A guest worker wages. Michigan Asparagus Advisory Board executive director Jamie Clover Adams tells Brownfield a nearly 40 percent rise in federally mandated H-2A wages over the... Read More.

USDA makes upward sorghum revision on yield

The USDA raised its sorghum production estimate due to strong yield numbers. 2024 U.S. sorghum production is now pegged at 320.725 million bushels, up 16.115 million from October thanks to a 3.1 bushel per acre improvement in the average yield projection to 60.8, with... Read More.

Grassroots efforts to develop markets for U.S. red meat

The head of the U.S. Meat Export Federation says the organization utilizes checkoff dollars from partner organizations to develop and bolster markets around the world. Dan Halstrom says Guatemala is a perfect example. “It wasn’t that many years ago where the prices reached a... Read More.