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Soybeans end session with modest gains

Soybeans were modestly higher on commercial and technical buying. The cash basis is up with harvest nearly over and crush demand continues to be strong. The USDA says 94% of U.S. soybeans are harvested, compared to the five-year average of 85%. The trade is... Read More.

Soybean harvest is 96% complete

Soybean harvest is nearing completion in Ohio. According to the latest crop progress and conditions report from the USDA, corn is 89 percent harvested for grain, 17 percent ahead of last year. Soybeans are 96 percent harvested, 6 percent ahead of last year. Winter wheat is... Read More.

Michigan potato harvest is complete

Favorable weather is allowing harvest to continue to progress. The USDA says 82 percent of corn is harvested for grain, 20 percent ahead of last year. Soybeans are 95 percent harvested.  Winter wheat planting is 96 percent complete, and 78 percent emerged. Sugarbeets are... Read More.

Illinois harvest nearing finish

The USDA says harvest in Illinois is nearing completion. Ogle County farmer Norm Deets has been finished for nearly a month. “It is the best year that I have ever experienced when it comes to yields, weather, and harvest ability.”  He says, “I finished... Read More.

91% of U.S. corn, 94% of soybeans harvested

The end is in sight for the 2024 U.S. corn and soybean harvests. Some areas have seen recent delays, but activity for both crops is well ahead of average due to dry weather for most of the harvest season and the soil moisture recharge... Read More.

Cheese and butter production higher than last September

September cheese production was down from August but higher than a year ago.  September production totaled 1.16 billion pounds, slightly up from 2023 but 3.1 percent below August of this year. Italian type cheese production was up 1.5% from 2023 at 487 million pounds,... Read More.

Planting pace back on schedule in Brazil

 An atmospheric scientist says the soybean planting pace is catching up in Brazil. Eric Snodgrass with Nutrien Ag Solutions tells Brownfield September was abnormally dry in the central and western regions of the country. “Then it started raining in October, they were 35 percent... Read More.

Ethanol plant CEO expects SAF to experience growing pains

The CEO of an ethanol plant in southern Minnesota expects the sustainable aviation fuel industry to experience growing pains. Brian Kletscher with Highwater Ethanol near Lamberton says the technology needs to be right for ethanol facilities to produce SAF. “We’re waiting for that technology... Read More.

Rain is a good thing

An ag meteorologist says impressive rains fell over the weekend across the Plains and portions of the Midwest. “Without any question, it’s going to help ease the drought.” Drew Lerner with World Weather Incorporated says eastern Kansas and western Missouri had heavy rains and... Read More.

Cash dairy sales steady to lower except butter Monday

Cash dairy prices were steady to lower Monday except butter on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  Dry whey prices remained unchanged at $0.6025.  Two sales were recorded at that price.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0075 at $1.83.  No sales were recorded.  Cheese barrels were down $0.0075... Read More.

Young farmers embracing management practices to weather down economy

An agricultural economist says young farmers are embracing new ideas to weather the down economy. Dr. David Kohl, professor emeritus at Virginia Tech University, says many of today’s young farmers are adapting their business and financial practices. “I’m also finding a very entrepreneurial mindset.” ... Read More.

Southern Indiana farmer finishes harvest

A southern Indiana farmer says he finished harvest last week. Ben Kron says yields were surprising. “We were so dry for so long during the summer and even the late fall, we really weren’t sure what to expect,” he says. He tells Brownfield this year was a... Read More.