Agriculture

Rebecca Vittetoe with Iowa State University says cool conditions slowed growth this spring. An extension agronomist expects delayed pest pressure in alfalfa. “Usually when we put out our comment about now is the time that we could potentially start to see alfalfa weevils being active in fields based off of Growing Degree days, I couldn’t even use my sweep net in an alfalfa field because it was only 4 inches […]

The Biden administration says they continue to take steps to alleviate the pressure from rising fuel costs. From increasing access to E-15 to releasing oil from the strategic reserve, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says President Biden is accelerating efforts to lower fuel prices.  “Nobody wants to be under the thumb of a petro-dictator like Vladimir Putin,” she says.  “We clean, American, homegrown energy.” She tells Brownfield the administration is also […]

A southwestern Missouri cattle producer says there could be a sharp decrease in cattle herd sizes if processors and retailers don’t share more of their profit margins. “The producer has given all he can give right now,” said Glen Cope. Cope says rising cattle production costs are sharply cutting into margins. “Our feed costs are just really hampering our profitability,” he said. “…we’re just going to try to put all […]

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle are lower, waiting for the rest of the week’s direct business to develop. June live cattle closed $1.50 lower at $131.50 and August live cattle closed $1.77 lower at $131.70.  August feeder cattle closed $.97 lower at $165.80 and September feeder cattle closed $.77 lower at $168.45.  There was some very light, scattered direct cash cattle trade on Wednesday.  Dressed deals […]

Michigan farmers and ag groups are pressing the state legislature to address record fertilizer prices through the passage of resolutions. Eaton County corn and soybean grower Gary Parr, during a Michigan House Ag Committee hearing Wednesday, said management and acreage shifts have only gone so far to mitigate rising costs. “Our potash is 184 percent increased, our phosphorus has increased 151 percent, and our nitrogen has increased 182 percent versus […]

A southwest Minnesota farmer is nervous about the 2023 growing season. Bob Worth grows corn and soybeans in Lincoln County and says high input costs loom large. “Next year is a wild card. We do have our fuel bought for 2023, but we have nothing else bought so it’s scary.” He tells Brownfield he’s hearing anhydrous ammonia prices could approach $2,000 per ton next year. “So if that’s that high, […]

Jul. corn closed at $7.81 and 1/2, down 19 and 1/4 centsJul. soybeans closed at $16.62 and 3/4, down 15 and 1/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $414.00, up $2.20Jul. soybean oil closed at 80.55, down 294 pointsJul. wheat closed at $12.30 and 3/4, down 46 and 3/4 centsJun. live cattle closed at $131.50, down $1.50Jun. lean hogs closed at $106.10, up 95 centsJun. ...

Milk production in April declined slightly from last year as farmers kept production stable with a smaller herd.  USDA says production in the U.S. for the month totaled more than 19 billion pounds, down one percent from last year, with production per cow unchanged from last year.  The herd size was down 98,000 head on the year to 9.4 million and unchanged from March.  South Dakota production continues to grow […]