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Still a “wild west” for climate smart opportunities

A farm specialist with Missouri Soybean says farmers and ranchers are still learning to navigate opportunities from the Climate-Smart Commodities grants that were announced in 2022. “It’s, right now, still the wild west” Clayton Light, Director of Conservation Agriculture and Farm Operations, says there’s...

Cutting back on fall fertilizer? Consider phosphate

An extension nutrient management specialist says farmers looking to cut back on fall fertilizer should consider phosphate. Daniel Kaiser with the University of Minnesota tells Brownfield data suggests minimal returns. “I’ve been in Minnesota for 17 years and I’ve very rarely if ever seen...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 1, 2024

Sep. corn closed at $3.98 and 1/2, down 3/4 centSep. soybeans closed at $10.09, down 5 and 1/2 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $328.00, up 70 centsSep. soybean oil closed at 42.47, down 79 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.32, up 4 and 3/4 centsOct....

Cattle futures slide ahead of widespread direct business

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower, pressured by the lower boxed beef, watching direct business develop.  August live cattle closed $2.32 lower at $184.80 and October live cattle closed $2.95 lower at $183.72.  August feeder cattle closed $4.10...

Wheat sees slightly rally, soybeans, corn close lower

Soybeans were modestly lower on speculative and technical selling. Severe storms and stressful temperatures have likely had some impact on the crop, but development conditions have been better in some areas, so the trade sentiment, for now, is everything should balance out. The USDA’s...

RaboResearch calling for weaker near-term pork returns

A pork analyst is expecting weaker returns for producers in the second half. Christine McCracken with RaboResearch tells Brownfield domestic demand has been slow over the summer. “The consumer is just being a little bit more careful when they go out to restaurants trying...

The potato: from the farm to the grocery store

Potatoes are grown on more than 1 million acres of ground across the United States.  Annually, 41.3 billion pounds of potatoes are grown in the United States.  Alsum Farms, based in Wisconsin, grows multiple different varieties of potatoes – russets, reds, whites, fingerlings, creamers,...

Profitability pacing technology adaptation

A pair of Illinois farmers say profitability concerns are the primary factor in adapting new technology. “First and foremost, it’s the bottom line, and the cost, and what that rate of return might be?” Illinois Farm Bureau vice president Evan Hultine, who farms in...

Central South Dakota wheat has been “really good”

The general manager of Oahe Grain Corporation in central South Dakota says a good winter wheat harvest is wrapping up and promising spring wheat harvest has begun. Tim Luken tells Brownfield a lot of grain elevators in the area are full of winter wheat....

Wisconsin State Fair underway

The Wisconsin State Fair began this morning. Sheri Black is the CEO of State Fair Park.  She tells Brownfield the show ring is busy and there are plenty of animal exhibits, even though the state requires additional precautions before showing lactating dairy cows. “We...

Michigan ag business leader says a refocus on biofuels is needed

The Michigan Agriculture Agri-Business Association says the state’s latest budget showcases values of the administration and a refocus on biofuels is needed. President Chuck Lippstreu tells Brownfield the governor vetoing a $3 million tax credit passed by the legislature is a missed an opportunity...