Farm News

Live cattle mixed, waiting on direct business to develop

Wednesday, September 4

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were mixed, watching direct business, and feeders were lower on the higher move in corn. October lives closed $.05 lower at $179.22 and Select closed $.05 higher at $178.90. October feeders closed $1.87 lower at $237.45 and...

U of M studies linkage between soil heath and clean water

Wednesday, September 4

A new research project in the Western Lake Erie Basin is studying what soil health practices lead to improved water quality. Lead investigator Jennifer Blesh is with the University of Michigan. “Up to 70 fields will link understanding of the fields management history to...

Soybeans, corn, wheat extend gains

Wednesday, September 4

Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying, rallying after overnight losses. The USDA’s national crop rating was down slightly on the week but is holding above a year ago. Forecasts for much of the Midwest generally look dry into mid-month, which could trim...

Risk management more critical in ag downturns

Wednesday, September 4

A product analyst with Country Financial says risk management is key for farmers as the ag economy slows down. Brian Davis tells Brownfield… “Crop insurance in a down price year is probably more critical than the opposite.” He says, “When you’ve got fewer dollars to...

Protect our Produce says federal wage mandates need to change

Wednesday, September 4

Eight Michigan farm groups have formed a coalition to elevating farm labor issues ahead of the November election. “We hope to leverage Michigan status as a battleground state this fall to fix this broken system.” Jamie Clover Adams with Product Our Produce tells Brownfield...

Corn is drier-than-usual in SEMO

Wednesday, September 4

Southeast Missouri farmer Clint Stephens is harvesting a drier-than-usual corn crop. “We picked some that were 13 to 15% and the wettest corn we’ve picked is 17.5% moisture.” Stephens is from Stoddard County and says the corn usually goes through the dryer before heading...

Delta to get some rain before turning dry

Wednesday, September 4

An ag meteorologist says the Delta will get additional rains heading into the weekend, building on the moisture received over Labor Day weekend. Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated says it’s welcome start to September after the region experienced mostly dry, crop stressed August....

Precision ag technology a focus for New Holland

Wednesday, September 4

New Holland precision ag technology lead Paul Welbig says the company’s FieldOps farm management platform is versatile and easy to use. Speaking to Brownfield at the 2024 Farm Progress Show near Boone, Iowa last week, he said a goal was to make FieldOps simple...

New Holland forage cruiser scales up chopping

Wednesday, September 4

New Holland product marketing manager for self-propelled forage harvesters and self-propelled windrowers Melissa Kelly says the model year ’25 FR920 forage cruiser is the biggest in the company’s lineup and features several operator improvements. The post

September starts with favorable conditions

Wednesday, September 4

An ag meteorologist says the mixed weather forecast is favorable for crop maturity and harvest progress across the Corn Belt. “At least through the middle of this month and possibly the latter part of the month as well.” Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated...

2024 broiler sets, placements stay ahead of 2023 pace

Wednesday, September 4

Broiler sets and placements continue to trend above year ago levels, pointing to higher production in 2024. The USDA says 247.754 million broiler-type eggs entered incubators last week, up 162,000 from the week before that and 5% larger than a year ago, with average...

Wyffels manager optimistic for Iowa’s harvest season

Wednesday, September 4

A crop specialist says there’s a lot of optimism for corn and soybean harvest in Iowa. Adam Ploog, western business unit manager for Wyffels Hybrids, says, “What a contradiction of two years. A year ago, we would have been talking about how dry it...