Farm News

MOFB healthcare plan being considered again in legislature

Friday, February 28

Legislation allowing Missouri Farm Bureau to offer a healthcare plan to its members is being considered a third time in the state legislature. The effort fell short again in the Missouri Senate last year, but Garrett Hawkins tells Brownfield there’s a different dynamic this... Read More.

More details needed for USDA’s HPAI plan

Friday, February 28

The executive vice president of the Poultry Federation says USDA’s new approach to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is good, but a few more details are needed. Blake Rollins tells Brownfield “getting the operation back into production quickly, but safely. I think that’s a... Read More.

Live, feeder cattle futures close sharply lower Friday

Friday, February 28

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle futures closed sharply lower, pressured by the week-to-week decline in direct cash prices. April live was down $3.47 at $192.65 and June was $3.55 lower at $188.77. March feeders were $1.47 lower at $274.97 and April was... Read More.

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: February 28, 2025

Friday, February 28

Mar. corn closed at $4.53 and 1/2, down 11 and 1/4 centsMar. soybeans closed at $10.11 and 1/2, down 11 and 1/4 centsMar. soybean meal closed at $291.70, up 80 centsMar. soybean oil closed at 43.53, down 122 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.37, down... Read More.

All-milk prices up in January

Friday, February 28

USDA’s agricultural prices report for January shows some improvement for dairy farmers. The index for January, at 119.9, is up 3.5 percent from the previous month and 20 percent from January a year ago. The January all milk price of $24.10 per cwt... Read More.

Soybeans, corn, wheat end session, week with losses

Friday, February 28

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling, adding to what would have already been a week-to-week decline. The trade continues to monitor development weather in Argentina and harvest activity in Brazil, which is near the halfway point. Production expectations for both of those... Read More.

Dairy operator pleased with Plenish soybeans

Friday, February 28

A young, Wisconsin dairyman says Plenish soybeans from Pioneer are causing him to alter his operation. Evan Schrauth from Cloven View Holsteins in Fond du Lac County says 2024 was his first experience feeding the high oleic soybeans. “We’ve loved it.” He says, “We... Read More.

January USDA price indices up on month

Friday, February 28

The USDA’s indices of prices received and paid moved higher in January. The index of prices received was up 2.1% from December on gains in cattle, milk, broilers, and market eggs, which canceled out losses in broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, and tomatoes. The dairy index... Read More.

Record ag imports push trade deficit to new levels

Friday, February 28

The USDA has again raised the agriculture trade deficit for 2025 to a record $49 billion as Americans continue to import more products. Ag imports are expected to increase by more than $13 billion above last year’s record, up $4 billion from November. Horticultural... Read More.

Concerns over NOAA & NWS cuts

Friday, February 28

The chief science fellow with Nutrien Ag Solutions says staffing cuts at the National Weather Service could have an impact on forecasting capabilities. Eric Snodgrass tells Brownfield, “When you consume weather in the United States, probably 95 to 98% of the data that you’re... Read More.

Swine disease a concern along with HPAI

Friday, February 28

Livestock diseases are a concern for Minnesota’s Ag Commissioner. Thom Petersen tells Brownfield while much attention is deservedly given to highly pathogenic avian flu, swine producers are facing several threats too. “We talk about PRRS, PEDv, but also African swine fever. We’ve got to... Read More.

Cash dairy prices steady to lower Friday

Friday, February 28

Cash dairy prices were steady to lower Friday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was down $0.0150 at $0.51. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0950 at $1.7750. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.7750 to $1.84. Cheese barrels were... Read More.