Brownfield

The President of a major live animal exporting company says the U.S. should be better targeting growing populations and economies for livestock exports outside of China. Tony Clayton with Clayton Agri-Marketing said the top two importers of U.S. live cattle the last three years have been Pakistan and Vietnam with other Asian countries offering strong opportunity. “Since November, we have made six shipments of cattle to Bangladesh,” he said. “So, […]

The USDA says there were more cattle and calves in U.S. feedlots at the start of this month than on any other June 1st on record. The on feed total of 11.846 million head was up 1% on the year as continued drought impacting pasture and range conditions in some of the major feeding areas outweighed concerns about high feed prices. Placements into feedlots during May were 2% lower at […]

Jul. corn closed at $7.50 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $16.10 and 3/4, up 17 and 1/2 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $432.60, up $5.90Jul. soybean oil closed at 69.75, up 204 pointsJul. wheat closed at $9.23 and 3/4, down 13 and 1/2 centsJun. live cattle closed at $135.35, up 10 centsJul. lean hogs closed at $110.92, up $2.37Jul. ...

The National Corn Growers Association says a recent ruling by the U.S. Department of Commerce could create additional fertilizer shortages and price hikes. Angus Kelly, director of trade and public policy, says it could limit imports of urea ammonium nitrate. “We’ve got to keep those channels of trade open with our trading partners. Morocco, Trinidad and Tobago are strategic allies. We feel strongly about keeping that market open.” According to […]

The CEO of the Kansas Wheat Commission says the state’s winter wheat harvest has been a mixed bag so far. Justin Gilpin tells Brownfield yields have ranged from 15 bushels per acre in the southwest to 60 bushels per acre in the eastern half partly because of drought and “Depending on production practices, whether that’s double crop wheat, continuous wheat or fallow wheat, I think that’s why you’re seeing that […]

An agronomist in southern Illinois says farmers should be scouting for black cutworms.  Brian Weihmeir with LG Seeds tells Brownfield the pests started showing up in his region just before Memorial Day and have been especially noticeable on late-planted corn. “We had a lot of delayed planting which also delayed other activities such as herbicide applications and tillage practices, so a lot of those things really created an environment for […]

Milk futures were down and cash dairy prices were all lower except for whey on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Friday. June Class III milk was up $0.04 at $24.33 but it was the only price that went up.  July closed down $0.68 at $22.78.  August closed down $0.55 at $23.50.  September was down $0.47 at $23.58.  October through May contracts ranged from thirteen cents lower in December to twenty-eight cents […]

An Indiana farmer says this is the most expensive crop he’s ever raised, and it isn’t even in the bin yet. Ben Kron, who farms in the southwest corner of the state, tells Brownfield he’s not sure if he’s ever seen nitrogen at this price level.  “There’s maybe been one other time when nitrogen has been this high, but the fertilizer side, I don’t think fertilizer or chemical has ever […]

Western heat will peak during the weekend before slowly easing.  Meanwhile, much of the Midwest will experience a period of generally favorable temperatures.  By early next week, however, hot weather will return across the nation’s midsection.  By the middle of next week, triple-digit heat (100°F or greater) may extend as far north as Nebraska and South Dakota, while much of the Midwest will experience temperatures topping 90°F.  Relatively light precipitation […]