Farm News

Buyer’s market for used farm machinery

Thursday, August 22

It’s a buyer’s market for used farm machinery. Jon Tofte with I-35 Auctions in north Iowa says farmers are reluctant to purchase because of high interest rates and low commodity prices. “These kinds of things do cause some pause on the market, but for...

Cattle, hog futures higher heading into Friday

Thursday, August 22

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher on oversold signals. Feeders found additional support from the lower move in corn. October live cattle closed $1.27 higher at $175.90 and December lives cattle closed $1.25 higher at $175.52. September feeder cattle...

Another down day for soybeans, corn on crop expectations

Thursday, August 22

Soybeans were sharply lower on speculative and technical selling. Most forecasts have warmer, drier weather to start September, but stress could be limited by generally good soil moisture levels. At this point, the trade is dialing in a record crop and while pod counts...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 22, 2024

Thursday, August 22

Sep. corn closed at $3.71 and 1/2, down 4 centsSep. soybeans closed at $9.41 and 1/4, down 21 and 3/4 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $306.40, down $6.10Sep. soybean oil closed at 40.44, down 56 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.11, down 8 and 3/4...

Rains benefit forage harvest

Thursday, August 22

A regional agronomist says rains during the growing season have been ideal for forage production. AgroLiquid’s John Leif covers the northeastern U.S. and Ontario. “Those Midsummer rains were able to get a nice second cutting,” he says. “And for those that are into their...

Red meat production surges in July

Thursday, August 22

Commercial red meat production during July was up sharply on the year. The USDA says the total of 4.554 billion pounds was 10% above the year before, with beef and pork production both climbing on faster slaughter paces, the ample ready numbers, and heavier...

USDA Under Secretary says trade expansion a priority for U.S. agriculture

Thursday, August 22

Advancing and expanding U.S. agricultural trade remains a priority for USDA. Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor tells Brownfield that includes diversifying what’s being exported. “Making sure that if we produce it that we’re able to export it and that...

July poultry production up on year

Thursday, August 22

Poultry production during July was above last year’s level. The USDA says 4.562 billion pounds of poultry were certified wholesome in July 2024, 8% more than July 2023, pushed higher by a 9% gain in chicken production to 4.119 billion pounds, which canceled out...

New Leader Manufacturing introduces new dry fertilizer spreader technology

Thursday, August 22

New technology introduced this week in the dry fertilizer market could be a gamechanger for farmers. Zac Rissi, business development specialist with New Leader Manufacturing, says the NL720 spreader brings a new level of efficiency. “We’ve increased the spread widths to 120 feet with...

2024 ag equipment purchases and leases down

Thursday, August 22

The President and CEO of the Wisconsin Bankers Association says there are fewer ag-related purchases and leases this year. Rose Oswald-Poels tells Brownfield only a few farmers are replacing equipment. “The costs of equipment right now are so high and then again coupled with...

CME cash dairy prices lower Thursday

Thursday, August 22

Cash dairy prices were all lower Thursday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0025 at $0.5650. One sale was reported at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0175 at $2.0775. One sale was reported at $2.09. Cheese barrels were down $0.06 at $2.2225. ...

Efficiency the focus of latest sprayer and spreader advancements

Thursday, August 22

Efficiency is the focus of the latest developments in the world of sprayer and spreader technology. “Maybe the equipment isn’t getting any bigger but it’s definitely going more into technology.” KJ Johnson, president of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association (IFCA), tells Brownfield… “The...