December 31, 2024

Chicago Mercantile Exchange live and feeder cattle were higher, optimistic about this week’s direct business. February live was up $1.30 at $191.60 and April was $1.25 higher at $194.27. January feeders were $1.40 higher at $263.02 and March was up $1.92 at $262.67. Direct cattle markets were quiet. Asking prices were $195+ on the live […] The post Cattle futures remain optimistic about direct trade appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Mar. corn closed at $4.58 and 1/2, up 6 and 1/4 centsJan. soybeans closed at $9.98 and 1/4, up 16 and 1/4 centsJan. soybean meal closed at $307.60, up $5.00Jan. soybean oil closed at 39.78, up 6 pointsMar. wheat closed at $5.51 and 1/2, up 3 and 1/4 centsFeb. live cattle closed at $191.60, up […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: December 31, 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Soybeans were higher on short covering and technical buying. The trade’s keeping an eye on chances for a drier pattern in parts of Argentina. It’s early, but a sustained warmer, drier pattern at this stage of development could still trim yield potential. That also supported bean meal, as Argentina is the world’s largest exporter, and […] The post Soybeans, corn, wheat up on last day of 2024 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Farmers made and paid more in November than October. The USDA says the index of prices received jumped 6.8% on the month thanks to gains in market eggs, grapes, lettuce, and broccoli, which canceled out losses for soybeans, milk, hay, and onions. The dairy index for November 2024 was down 4% from October, but up […] The post USDA ag price indices up in November appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The outreach agronomist with the Illinois Soybean Association says farmers that are turning to generic chemicals as a cost-saving measure should plan to increase their scouting trips. Stephanie Porter tells Brownfield, “A recent study just came out from Iowa State with fungicides.”  She says, “The generics just may not last as long is what they’re […] The post Generic chemicals should bring more scouting trips appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

State livestock confinement laws continue to create uncertainty for the hog industry. National Pork Producers Council president Lori Stevermer says California’s Proposition 12 and Massachusetts’ Question 3 open the door for a patchwork of regulations. “So as a producer, how do I go forward with my business? Do I adapt to Prop 12, which doesn’t […] The post Prop 12 and Question 3 stir uncertainty for pork producers in 2025 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The biofuels industry is preparing for new leadership at EPA. American Coalition for Ethanol CEO Brian Jennings says the nomination of former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin raises some concerns. “Look, as a congressman from Long Island Lee Zeldin had a really bad record on ethanol. He cosponsored bills that would repeal the Renewable Fuel […] The post ACE has reservations about EPA nominee Zeldin appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

The director of governmental affairs and commodities with the Illinois Farm Bureau says the state’s looming budget issues could impact agriculture. Kevin Semlow tells Brownfield, “The biggest problem they got is their revenue projections are about $3.2 billion below what they anticipated on their tax revenues,” he says. He says underperforming sales tax revenues could […] The post Illinois budget woes could impact ag appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story