From ‘Ideal Conditions’ to ‘Brought to a Halt’ — Corn Planting Across 6 States Either Pushed or Paused by April Weather

Double-Edged Sword: Ideal Planting Conditions, But Dry Pattern Looms

An associate research professor at the University of Missouri says she’ll be able to continue her mechanization research after an anonymous donation was made to the Soybean Innovation Lab in Illinois. Kerry Clark tells Brownfield “I train people how to build crop threshers. We have a new piece of equipment...

At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower, with boxed beef lower at midday, ahead of the week’s direct business.  June live cattle closed $1.80 lower at $208.40 and August lives closed $1.62 lower at $204.05.  May feeder cattle closed $1.45 lower at $292.57 and August feeders...

A commodity group says a ruling by the International Trade Commission will likely raise prices and reduce availability for a popular ag chemical. Virginia Houston with the American Soybean Association tells Brownfield, “It’s just one more factor working against farmers as far as the cost of production.” Houston says the...

Much of the Midwest should experience warm and dry weather the first week of May. Iowa state climatologist Justin Glisan says there’s a strong warm signal expanding from the central and western Corn Belt. “That strong warm signal does persist and it does expand across much of the Midwest and...

Research is showing the benefits of applying solid manure over liquid manure to fields. Josh Mirabella with the University of Wisconsin-Madison is researching soil health and fertility comparing unprocessed liquid manure, manure that has had the liquid removed, and no manure applications at all. “Both in terms of their overall...

Mild weather the past few months could result in high alfalfa weevil pressure this spring. FMC technical services manager Eric Rebek says the forage pest begins to emerge in April and May, feeding on crops and laying eggs. “It’s kind of a perfect storm with the adults emerging (and) laying...

A U.S. Senate Ag Committee member is calling on President Trump’s USDA Under Secretary for Trade nominee to go to bat for specialty crop growers. Michigan’s Elissa Slotkin says unfair trade practices need to be addressed even in smaller markets.  “I want you to go into battle with the country...

A farmer from west-central Missouri says he’s concerned what the Trump administration’s tariffs mean for China, a top buyer of U.S. soybeans. Ronnie Russell raises corn and soybeans in Ray County. “I look forward to farming every year. There’s some years you’re more giddy about it and other years where...

May corn closed at $4.67 and 1/4, up 6 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans closed at $10.34 and 3/4, down 6 and 1/4 centsMay soybean meal closed at $290.00, down 50 centsMay soybean oil closed at 48.58, down 27 pointsMay wheat closed at $5.13, up 7 and 1/4 centsJun. live cattle...

Soybeans were lower on profit taking and technical selling. Soybeans gave back some gains at the end of the months while following soybean and crude oils and watching U.S. planting activity. Brazil continues to hold a near-term export price advantage over the U.S. with harvest essentially wrapped up for the...

A Minnesota farmer is worried trade uncertainties will make grain marketing more difficult. Chad Willis grows corn and soybeans near Wilmar. “With the tariffs and everything going on, that kind of throws a wrench into the normal routine.” He tells Brownfield margins are tight. “As many farmers know, a lot...

A north central Illinois farmer says he’s disappointed in the state’s planned cuts to conservation funding.  Brian Corkill, who farms in Henry & Stark Counties, says the “Fall Covers for Spring Savings” program, which offers farmers a discount on their crop insurance when they plant fall cover crops, has helped...

An extension livestock field specialist says the recent rains are greening up the grass in pastures and hay ground across central Missouri. “We need the continued rainfall and moisture to keep the grass growing.” Gene Schmitz with the University of Missouri says the situation looks much different compared to last...