Ag leaders are calling for improved shipping infrastructure in the Mississippi River basin to make U.S. ag exports more competitive and lower food costs. Port of South Louisiana CEO Paul Matthews said a key project is deepening sections of the lower Mississippi River by five feet, reaching a depth of 50 feet so larger barges can enter the port. “That is an impact of more than $15.5 billion with a […]
Dairy research that was developed to increase exports became very useful during the COVID pandemic. Dr. John Lucey is the Director of the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Dairy Research. He tells Brownfield there has been a focus on extending the shelf life of cheeses to allow U.S. cheesemakers to move more products overseas without the product spoiling or performing poorly. “Think about the shelf life that might be needed […]
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live cattle ended the day mixed and feeders were lower, watching corn and the direct cash markets. June live cattle were unchanged at $131.50 and August feeder cattle closed $.60 lower at $165.20. It was a quiet Thursday for direct cash cattle trade activity with ust a handful of deals reported. It looks like the bulk of the week’s business has wrapped up, however, some […]
Skyrocketing fuel costs have become the wild card for many farmers’ bottom line this year. Justin Ewalt farms in southwest Iowa. “It hurts a little bit,” he says. “Every time you pull up to a pump.” He tells Brownfield he’s starting to flesh out fuel costs for this fall. “We’re talking like $4.50 for farm fuel,” he says. “That’s a little worrisome on the horizon because I don’t think people […]
The head of the USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board says he’s keeping a close eye on South American corn supplies and the upcoming second crop harvest. Mark Jekanowski says, “The size of that crop is going to be critically important to potentially make up for some of those more limited supplies out of Ukraine.” He says the USDA uses the March planting intentions acreage as a baseline, but… “If there […]
A bill advancing in the U.S. House would create a taskforce designed to shore up the food supply chain. Co-author Angie Craig tells Brownfield the Strengthening the Agriculture and Food Supply Chain Act is in response to high prices. “It’s a bipartisan bill that would create a dedicated taskforce designed to really study this issue (of) the American food supply chain, and hopefully can increase some government coordination and design […]
Farmers are in uncertain times as input costs soar and commodity prices chase record highs. Noah Hultgren grows corn, soybeans, sugarbeets, kidney beans, alfalfa, and canning crops near Raymond in west-central Minnesota and suggests the current market is not sustainable. “I’m sure I’m speaking for a lot of farmers (by saying) we’re just all cautiously nervous on everything right now.” He tells Brownfield it’s not just the price of inputs […]
A dairy lending specialist suggests the dairy herd is not growing commensurate to milk prices. Greg Steele with Compeer Financial says when the market is this strong there’s usually a spike in dairy cows. “Generally be encouraged whether it’s $24 or $25 milk, you would see the bulldozers rolling and contractors working to put up new barns.” Despite some growth “around the fringes,” he tells Brownfield processor limitations and base […]
Jul. corn closed at $7.83 and 1/4, up 1 and 3/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $16.90 and 1/2, up 27 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $425.30, up $11.30Jul. soybean oil closed at 79.53, down 102 pointsJul. wheat closed at $12.00 and 1/2, down 30 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $131.50, unchangedJun. lean hogs closed at $105.30, down 80 centsJun. ...
