Farm News

Mid- Winter-like cold for most; some moisture developing on the southern Plains

Friday, December 13

Across the Corn Belt, cold, dry weather prevails, although winds have diminished. Early Friday, temperatures again dipped below -10°F in parts of the upper Midwest, including much of northern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. Livestock producers in the western Corn Belt are preparing for an...

A more seasonally active pattern ahead for most; temps to recover across the Heartland

Friday, December 13

High pressure currently camped over the Corn Belt will drift eastward, allowing moisture associated with a weak disturbance to overspread the mid-South and Midwest later Friday into Saturday. Wintry precipitation (snow, sleet, and freezing rain) will affect the western Corn Belt, with local travel...

The Value of Nitrogen Stabilizers

Friday, December 13

As growers plan for next year, they might be looking for areas to cut back on in terms of costs. On this episode of the Nitrogen Corner, an agronomy expert with Koch Agronomic Services talks about one area he recommends they leave alone. The post...

Mild temps on the Plains, seasonal across the Corn Belt next week; more moisture ahead

Friday, December 13

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for warmer-than-normal weather nearly nationwide, with the northern High Plains and adjacent Rockies having the greatest likelihood of experiencing above-normal temperatures. Meanwhile, near- or below-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with wetter-than-normal conditions...

Wisconsin prepares for milk testing

Thursday, December 12

Wisconsin’s state veterinarian says state officials are getting ready for the federal order requiring raw milk testing for highly pathogenic avian influenza. Dr. Darlene Konkle says they are taking steps to begin H5N1 testing. “We’re currently evaluating the contents of the order and the...

More cash cattle trade activity on Thursday

Thursday, December 12

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures were lower on technical selling, while waiting to see how much direct cash business is left to be done this week. February live was down $.52 at $190.85 and April was $.45 lower at $192.17. January...

Growth Energy’s Skor confident Trump admin will tackle E15 solution

Thursday, December 12

The CEO of Growth Energy says a nationwide E15 standard is one of her biggest priorities in 2025. Emily Skor tells Brownfield she’s optimistic President-elect Donald Trump will move quickly on a federal E15 solution. “We do have a president coming in who has...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 12, 2024

Thursday, December 12

Mar. corn closed at $4.43 and 1/2, down 4 and 3/4 centsJan. soybeans closed at $9.95 and 3/4, up 1/4 centJan. soybean meal closed at $289.50, down $1.60Jan. soybean oil closed at 42.67, up 23 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.58 and 1/2, down 4...

Illinois farmers find value in Farm Bureau

Thursday, December 12

Many Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) members tell Brownfield they find value in their membership even amongst the ongoing legal dispute with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). Montgomery County farmer Ethan Brown says the organization gives farmers a voice. “The story we need to...

Rep. Hinson concerned with rising HPAI cases in Iowa

Thursday, December 12

Another case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says the disease was found in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County. It’s the state’s seventh detection of HPAI within poultry in 2024,...

Farmland market softening, economist says

Thursday, December 12

An ag economist says U.S. farmland prices are slowly decreasing. Ernie Goss is with Creighton University and says, “They are holding steady at a low level. This is the sixth time in the last seven months where they’ve been below growth neutral. We’re seeing...

Modestly lower finishes for corn and wheat

Thursday, December 12

Soybeans were narrowly mixed, with nearby contracts up and deferred months down, as traders adjusted spreads. CONAB raised its outlook for Brazil’s bean crop slightly, now pegged at 166.211 million tons and production is currently expected to be up 12.5% on the year. Crop...