Farm News

Biofuels bring soybean sustainability

Tuesday, January 21

Many soybean farmers see biofuels as a major key to their sustainability. Illinois farmer Brady Holst, who also serves as a director with the Illinois Soybean Association, says demand from the biofuels industry has been a bright spot in the down ag economy. “The...

Live cattle futures mixed watching direct business develop

Tuesday, January 21

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, and feeders were lower ahead of the week’s direct cash business. February live cattle closed $.30 higher at $197.05 and April live cattle closed $.17 lower at $197.32. March feeder cattle closed $.80 lower at...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: January 21, 2025

Tuesday, January 21

Mar. corn closed at $4.90, up 5 and 3/4 centsMar. soybeans closed at $10.67 and 1/4, up 33 and 1/4 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $311.00, up $13.80Mar. soybean oil closed at 45.77, up 8 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.58 and 3/4, up 20...

More conservation practices will be rewarded by 45Z credit

Tuesday, January 21

An ag researcher says farmers can benefit the most if all conservation practices incentivized through the 45Z tax credit are in place. Michigan State University’s Bruno Basso tells Brownfield, “Ideally, a farmer will choose areas where corn is highly productive and it can be...

Ag co-op, Landus, to layoff portion of its workforce

Tuesday, January 21

Iowa-based ag cooperative Landus has announced a round of layoffs within the company. In a statement to Brownfield, a Landus spokesperson said they recently cut less than 10% of their team members to meet the demands of the changing ag retail environment. The spokesperson...

Soybeans strong with easing of China concerns

Tuesday, January 21

Soybeans were sharply higher on speculative and technical buying. The Trump administration says it is not applying any new tariffs to China, yet. It looks like recent talks between Presidents Trump and Xi have dampened the chance of a renewed trade war between the...

Continuing to monitor President Trump’s talk about tariffs

Tuesday, January 21

The president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says he’s optimistic that President Trump’s tariff talk will remain just a bargaining tool. Mark Eisele ranches in Wyoming. “I’m hoping that maybe he’s using this as leverage,” he says. “Trying to get a better deal...

Farming and ranching honorable pursuit

Tuesday, January 21

Commentary. I have said it many times: farming is not an easy life’s work and certainly not for the faint of heart. Farming can push you to your physical and emotional limits. It can nearly kill you. It can save your life. Farmers and...

Is another interest rate cut coming?

Tuesday, January 21

An ag economist says he doesn’t expect the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates in the short-term. University of Missouri’s Ben Brown says, “These measures of inflation directly impact most farmers through the expectations of interest rates,” he said. “I don’t think anything in...

A global look at the fertilizer market

Tuesday, January 21

Farmers could continue to face challenges with access to fertilizer in 2025. Josh Linville with Stone X Group says the shifting geopolitical landscapes are affecting fertilizer availability and profitability. “In the last few years, the Chinese government has started to place export restrictions,” he...

Lower number of layers impacts egg production

Tuesday, January 21

U.S. egg production declined during December. The USDA says 9.12 billion eggs were produced during the last month of 2024, falling 3% from December 2023, at least partially because of culling due to highly pathogenic avian influenza. The number of layers fell 3% to...

CME cash dairy prices mixed

Tuesday, January 21

Cash dairy prices closed mixed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Tuesday. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.7375. Blocks down $0.11 at $1.78. One trade was made at that price. Barrels down $0.04 at $1.85. One trade was made at that price. Butter up $0.0050...