Farm News

Minnesota dairy farmers interested in A2 milk

Thursday, April 3

Some dairy farms are looking to capture a potential growth market. Sanchez Philocles with the Minnesota Agricultural Utilization Research Institute says A2 milk is a result of breeding exclusively for A2 so that no A1 beta-casein is present in the milk. “With this study... Read More.

Cattle, hog futures lower amind tariff concerns

Thursday, April 3

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were sharply lower amid concerns about tariff impacts. The broader markets were also sharply lower on Thursday. June live cattle closed $2.70 lower at $204.70 and August live cattle closed $2.75 lower at $2.75. May... Read More.

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 3, 2025

Thursday, April 3

May corn closed at $4.57 and 1/2, 1/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.11 and 1/2, down 18 centsMay soybean meal closed at $287.20, up 80 centsMay soybean oil closed at 47.06, up 144 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.396, down 3 and 1/4 centsJun. live... Read More.

Self-evacuation order lifted in Otley, Iowa, co-op fire has been extinguished

Thursday, April 3

A self-evacuation order has been lifted in the rural south-central Iowa community of Otley. Earlier this week, a fire developed at a Two Rivers Cooperative facility where more than 1,000 tons of liquid fertilizers were stored. The co-op burned for several days, and the... Read More.

Spring rains can help alleviate dry conditions

Thursday, April 3

Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn says the recent rains are welcome and more is needed across a mostly dry state. “We are hopeful we’ll get more nice, gentle spring rains that will help pastures grow and be plentiful for hay cutting, but we also... Read More.

Livestock economist says he continues to monitor beef cow slaughter

Thursday, April 3

A livestock economist says beef cow slaughter will be an area to watch in 2025. Kenny Burdine, with the University of Kentucky says, “We are not culling this cow herd as hard as we have been the last few years.” Burdine says he doesn’t... Read More.

Grain market response to tariffs “not horrible”

Thursday, April 3

Market analyst DuWayne Bosse tells Brownfield the grain markets would likely be lower if additional reciprocal tariffs on Mexico were announced. “If we had additional tariffs on our top buyer of U.S. corn, I think the corn market would be 10 to 15 cents... Read More.

Farmer concerns shifting to trade policy

Thursday, April 3

Producers are expressing more concern about the current trade environment in the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. Professor emeritus Jim Mintert tells Brownfield, “People were much more worried about interest rate policy than trade policy, in fact that was true all the way through 2022 and 2023.... Read More.

Fire risk remains high for producers in Great Plains

Thursday, April 3

A central Nebraska farmer says he’s on high alert for additional wildfires this spring. “We’re definitely in significant fire risk.” Clay Govier of Broken Bow tells Brownfield there have already been a pair of wildfires this spring and one impacted his operation. “Half of... Read More.

Soggy start to spring leads to nitrogen worries

Thursday, April 3

The agronomy education lead with Beck’s Hybrids says the soggy start to April in some areas is leading to nutrient concerns. Matt Montgomery says many farmers have applied their nitrogen needs for the season. “What did we do in the nitrogen stabilizer space? And... Read More.

A good time to invest in herd genetics

Thursday, April 3

A Missouri seedstock producer says now is the time for operations to invest in genetics. Blake McDonald is a cow/calf producer from Sullivan, and raises Angus and SimAngus bulls. He says, “Everybody’s making a little money.” He tells Brownfield he’s seeing more operations make... Read More.

Ethanol supporters push for permanent solution amid uncertainty

Thursday, April 3

Supporters of year-round E15 say there’s still a lot of uncertainty around a permanent solution. Randy Gard, chief operating officer with Bosselman Enterprises based in Grand Island, Nebraska, tells Brownfield retailers are waiting to finish updating infrastructure. “We’ve been converting tanks and dispensers to... Read More.