August 5, 2026

Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 5, 2026

Sep. corn $4.36 and 3/4, down 5 and 1/2 centsSep. soybeans $11.56 and 1/2, down 2 and 1/4 centsSep. soybean meal $310.20, down $2.50Sep. soybean oil 67.72, down 48 pointsSep. Chicago wheat $6.42 and 1/4, up 3 and 3/4 centsOct. live cattle $229.47, up $1.57Sep. feeder cattle $348.37, up $2.22Oct. lean hogs $83.02, down $1.32Sep. […] The post Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: August 5, 2026 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Illinois distributes $4 million to strengthen local food system

The acting assistant director at the Illinois Department of Agriculture says the state’s local food system is receiving a boost. Kristi Jones says nearly $4 million has been awarded through the Local Food Infrastructure Program. “It needed to be a project where you were increasing storage, processing, packaging, or aggregation to distribute locally grown products, […] The post Illinois distributes $4 million to strengthen local food system appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Broiler placements hold faster than last year pace

The USDA’s weekly hatchery numbers continue to point to rising chicken production in 2026. 254.134 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubation last week, 267,000 less than the previous week, but 2% more than a year ago, even as the average rate of hatchability declined slightly to 79.1%. 194.392 million broiler-type chicks were placed into […] The post Broiler placements hold faster than last year pace appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Tar spot confirmations highlight need for increased scouting

An agronomy manager with Wyffels Hybrids says growers should be scouting for tar spot. Robby Meeker, who covers the eastern half of Illinois and all of Indiana, says he expects reports of the disease to become more prevalent as August progresses. “Not super alarming, but it’s definitely here.”  He says, “We all saw it coming. […] The post Tar spot confirmations highlight need for increased scouting appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Ethanol production, stocks, exports top year ago levels

U.S. ethanol production backed off a little bit last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production averaged 1.107 million barrels per day, down 26,000 from the previous week, which was the second highest weekly average on record. That was still up 26,000 from a year ago as the industry tries to meet domestic and […] The post Ethanol production, stocks, exports top year ago levels appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

AI expected could reshape agronomic decision-making

An agronomist says the role of artificial intelligence will have a larger role in the future of ag production. Ryan Wolf with WinField United says some farmers are already using the technology, but more could be done with it. “It’s going to increase production. It’s all about ROI and that’s about increasing bushels out there […] The post AI expected could reshape agronomic decision-making appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

New Canadian dairy tariffs highlight long-running USMCA market access dispute

An ag economist says the Trump administration’s recently announced tariffs on Canadian dairy products could help expand market access for U.S. dairy exports.  Ian Sheldon with Ohio State University says President Trump is trying to level the playing field for U.S. dairy producers. “The U.S. believes it has been discriminated against in terms of the amount of dairy […] The post New Canadian dairy tariffs highlight long-running USMCA market access dispute appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Grassley asks Special Counsel Smith to testify before U.S. Senate panel

Senator Chuck Grassley has invited the attorney who led investigations of President Trump to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee next month. Special Council Jack Smith oversaw the investigation of Trump’s actions during U.S. Capitol rioting on January 6th, 2021 as well as the investigation of documents Trump took to his home in Florida after […] View Full Story

Ohio Farm Bureau says current data center permitting process protects state’s water resources

The director of state policy for Ohio Farm Bureau says protecting water quality remains a top priority as data center development continues across the state. Evan Callicoat tells Brownfield, “How much water are these taking in daily,” he says. “Are they plugged into a municipal water system? As long as our members are asking these […] The post Ohio Farm Bureau says current data center permitting process protects state’s water resources appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story

Finstad: farm bill must include Prop 12 language and year-round E15

A member of the U.S. House Agriculture Committee is pushing for a farm bill that addresses Proposition 12 and includes year-round nationwide E15.  Minnesota Republican Brad Finstad says when it comes to passing a farm bill with Prop 12 and E15 language. “I want them both, and that’s the position we’re going to take in […] The post Finstad: farm bill must include Prop 12 language and year-round E15 appeared first on Brownfield Ag News. View Full Story