Farm News

A return to mild weather next week across the Heartland; beneficial moisture for some

Tuesday, December 10

Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for warmer-than-normal weather nationwide, except for near-normal temperatures across southern Florida. The southcentral U.S. will have the greatest likelihood of experiencing above-normal temperatures. Meanwhile, near- or above-normal precipitation across most of the country should contrast with...

Tools available to calculate ROI on fungicide

Tuesday, December 10

Farmers are looking for every possible way to improve margins. Whether or not to apply a fungicide can be a tough decision, since it’s not easy to know if there will be a good return on that investment. University of Wisconsin plant pathologist Dr....

Eminent domain concerns highlight Illinois Farm Bureau discussion

Tuesday, December 10

Concerns over eminent domain highlighted discussion by delegates at the 2024 Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) annual meeting. “Our members are pretty clear and have been clear. We do not like eminent domain.” However, IFB president Brian Duncan says delegates recognize the potential opportunity some...

Former ambassador says he’s excited for ag industry’s future under Trump administration

Monday, December 9

A former ambassador to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture says getting young people involved in agriculture remains crucial to the industry’s success. Kip Tom tells Brownfield farming is very capital intensive. “It takes lots of money to get into this business,...

Parson says infrastructure investments are a highlight of his time as Governor

Monday, December 9

Governor Mike Parson is winding down six and a half years of service to the State of Missouri. He tells Brownfield’s Cyndi Young that his roots in agriculture helped shape his time as Governor. Parson says one of his proudest accomplishments is the investments...

Wisconsin Farm Bureau dumps raw milk policy, supports additional tractor safety trainers

Monday, December 9

Farm Bureau officials set their policy objectives Monday, and that included a change in a dairy provision. Board member Dan Meyer says Farm Bureau delegates changed direction, and removed policy supporting raw milk sales. “Other parts of the country have had reports of avian...

Minnesota farmer considering more corn on corn in 2025

Monday, December 9

Many crop farmers are considering changes with margins expected to be tight again in 2025. Southwest Minnesota crop and livestock producer Krist Wollum says he’d like to stay with his usual rotation. “But I am looking at possibly a little bit more corn on...

Corporate Transparency Act requirements on hold

Monday, December 9

Farmers won’t have to meet an end-of-year deadline to comply with the Corporate Transparency Act. The Corporate Transparency Act would have required businesses including farms to provide additional information showing who is benefiting from and in control of businesses. University of Wisconsin Extension Ag...

HPAI cases picking up steam in Iowa

Monday, December 9

Iowa’s ag secretary says his agency is closely monitoring some recent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry flocks. Mike Naig says there have been three cases in the state since last Thursday, with the most recent detection on Monday. “We got two...

Corn, wheat up ahead of WASDE numbers

Monday, December 9

Soybeans were mixed, mostly weak. Traders adjusted spreads, keeping an eye on demand and crop weather in Argentina and Brazil. Those conditions generally look favorable at this point, with most analysts expecting large crops in 2025. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange says 54% of...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 9, 2024

Monday, December 9

Mar. corn closed at $4.41 and 3/4, up 1 and 3/4 centsJan. soybeans closed at $9.90, down 3 and 3/4 centsJan. soybean meal closed at $289.60, up $2.20Jan. soybean oil closed at 42.80, down 17 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.58 and 3/4, up 1...

Solid start to the week for cattle futures

Monday, December 9

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle were up, and feeders were mostly higher, supported by the recent strength in direct business. Boxed beef was also higher. February live cattle closed $.85 higher at $287.02 and April lives closed $.65 higher at $188.95. January feeder...