Farm News

Cattle, hog futures end the week lower

Friday, August 16

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle closed lower, pressured by direct cash business. October live cattle closed $2.45 lower at $178.30 and December live cattle closed $2.50 lower at $178.12. September feeders closed $4.17 lower at $239.50 and October feeders closed...

Bayer wins Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruling

Friday, August 16

A U.S. appeals court has ruled federal law protects Bayer from a Roundup lawsuit in Pennsylvania. In a press release, Bayer officials say the Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Monsanto in the Schaffner v. Monsanto case, unanimously finding that the...

Holding out hope for a tax bill this year

Friday, August 16

The chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee says despite concerns a tax bill might not get passed this year, there’s a chance it could resurrected in the lame duck session of Congress. Jason Smith from Missouri says “it’s the Senate, whether...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 16, 2024

Friday, August 16

Sep. corn closed at $3.70 and 1/2, down 4 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans closed at $9.38 and 3/4, down 12 and 3/4 centsSep. soybean meal closed at $303.40, down $4.50Sep. soybean oil closed at 39.95, up 48 pointsSep. wheat closed at $5.30, up 1...

IBA introduces inaugural Illinois Beef Quality Showcase

Friday, August 16

A member of the Illinois Beef Association’s (IBA) Board of Governors says entries are now open for the inaugural Illinois Beef Quality Showcase. Warren County producer Thad Tharp tells Brownfield it’s a new carcass competition. “Producers throughout the whole state will have an opportunity...

Soybeans, corn see further weather-related declines

Friday, August 16

Soybeans were lower on speculative and technical selling, adding to what would have already been a down week. Development weather continues to look generally favorable in much of the region. There are certainly concerns about conditions and yield in some areas, but those are...

Projections for big crop & big piles in the Corn Belt

Friday, August 16

The general manager of one of the largest grain cooperatives in central Illinois says they’re gearing up for a big harvest. Derrick Bruhn, at Topflight Grain Cooperative, based in Monticello, says they’re also continuing to work through last year’s crop. “The producer is still...

Farmers tackling margin squeeze period, economist says

Friday, August 16

An ag economist says it could take a few years to resolve the current downturn in the farm economy. “We’re definitely no longer in 2022,” said David Widmar with Agricultural Economic Insights. Widmar says farmers are trying to handle higher costs with lower incomes....

Looking for ways to save on costs this fall

Friday, August 16

A west-central Missouri farmer says some farmers might delay early corn harvest to save on drying costs. “We’re going to let Mother Nature do more of the drying in the field this year than harvesting early.” Ronnie Russell says farmers are looking to reduce...

Lawmakers want production tax credits for domestic feedstocks

Friday, August 16

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators have asked Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to restrict the eligibility of a new Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit to renewable fuels made from domestic feedstocks. The 45Z tax credit included in the Inflation Reduction Act provides an opportunity...

Grain bin clean out causes delays at local processor

Friday, August 16

Mid-Missouri farmer Jay Fischer says it’s been difficult to deliver corn to the local feed mill ahead of harvest. “We have about 45,000 bushels of corn that was supposed to be delivered this month and we can’t get into Cargill, because they’re full every...

Ethanol prominent during Iowa Corn Day at Iowa State Fair

Friday, August 16

Iowa State Fairgoers are learning about the benefits of ethanol. Iowa Corn Promotion Board president Stan Nelson says Unleaded 88 is being featured during this year’s Iowa Corn Day at the Fair. “It gives us the opportunity to talk to a wide range of...