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USMCA review scheduled for 2026

When the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement is reviewed in July 2026, new faces will be at the table. The CEO of the US Meat Export Federation says the USMCA has been really good for trade between the three nations overall.  But, Dal Halstrom says there...

Ag leaders pleased with selection of Thune as Senate Majority Leader

Agriculture leaders are pleased that the new Senate Majority Leader understands rural issues.  South Dakota Republican John Thune was chosen Wednesday morning to succeed Mitch McConnell, and Thune says he’s extremely honored to have earned the support of his colleagues to lead the Senate...

AFBF seeks farmer protection from PFAS contaminations

A leader with the American Farm Bureau Federation says farmers shouldn’t be held liable for any contamination of PFAS chemicals in their fields. Courtney Briggs, senior director of government affairs, says producers currently have some protection from an EPA enforcement action. “But they do...

Shop in your local, rural community

Commentary. Rural, agricultural communities are critically important to the world. They are not only the source of the world’s food supply, but also critical to environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, economic stability, and social cohesion. As we head into the holiday season, please support those...

NASDA discusses ag labor crisis at NAFB

Pictured: NASDA’s RJ Karney (second from right) discusses the ag labor crisis at the 2024 NAFB Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield) The senior director of public policy for NASDA says he’s hopeful the incoming Trump administration will tackle the ag...

Direct cattle bids start to surface

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live cattle futures were mixed, getting ready for the week’s direct business, and feeders were up on the lower corn. December live was down $.37 at $184.02 and February was $.05 lower at $186.07. January feeders were up $.07 at $243.65...

AFBF expels Illinois Farm Bureau; lawsuit filed

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) board of directors has voted to expel Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) from its national organization.  The vote followed unsuccessful mediation between the two groups after IFB allowed Country Financial to eliminate the Farm Bureau membership requirement for nonfarm...

Downward drift continues for soybeans, corn, wheat

Soybeans were lower on fund and technical selling. The U.S. harvest should wrap up this week and South American planting has advanced thanks to recent rain. Parts of the soybean growing areas of that continent could see a drier near-term pattern, but overall, conditions...

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: November 13, 2024

Dec. corn closed at $4.26 and 1/2, down 2 centsJan. soybeans closed at $10.07 and 3/4, down 2 and 3/4 centsDec. soybean meal closed at $291.60, down $1.30Dec. soybean oil closed at 45.18, down 105 pointsDec. wheat closed at $5.41, down 11 and 1/4...

2024 broiler sets, placements stay ahead of 2023

Broiler sets and placements were down on the week, up on the year. The USDA says 238.612 million broiler-type eggs were in incubation at the end of last week, a drop of 2.962 million on the week, but up 1% on the year, with...

Cash dairy prices mostly lower Wednesday

Cash dairy prices were lower except for butter Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  Dry whey prices were down $0.0025 at $0.6225.  No sales were recorded.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were down $0.0275 at $1.69.  Three sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6875 to $1.69.  Cheese...