Russell: Congress will shape USDA budget
An ag lobbyist says he’s not too concerned about the proposed spending cuts at the USDA for the next fiscal year, because historically “the executive branch proposes and the legislative […]
Cattle, hog futures lower to finish the week
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower ahead of the USDA’s Cattle on Feed numbers and watching direct business develop. June live cattle closed $.27 lower […]
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 17, 2026
May corn $4.48 and 3/4, up 1/4 centMay soybeans $11.67 and 1/4, up 3 and 1/2 centsMay soybean meal $331.80, down 90 centsMay soybean oil 68.16, down 117 pointsMay Chicago […]
Global conflict and trade shifts pressuring U.S. ag exports
An ag economist with Ohio State University says the Iranian conflict is having an impact on U.S. ag trade around the world. Ian Sheldon says President Trump recently threatened to walk back a […]
Ohio Pork donates more than $5,000 to Cleveland-based food bank
The president of the Ohio Pork Council says the organization is helping address food insecurity through its annual Pork Power initiative. Nathan Schroeder says producers recently donated more than $5,000 […]
Agricultural uncertainty hits young producers hardest
A senior lecturer with the College of ACES at the University of Illinois says agriculture is facing more uncertainty now than at any other time in his 25-year career. Paul […]
Tight cattle supplies could continue to support prices
The tight supplies of market-ready cattle show little sign of easing and that could keep prices elevated. The USDA says the total number of cattle on feed in the U.S. […]
An hyper-active (wet) pattern to continue across the Heartland; mych cooler days ahead
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and precipitation across most of the country. Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to the […]
High equipment costs push farmers toward used machinery, Indiana producer says
A southwest Indiana farmer the cost of new machinery is a barrier for many producers. “Man, it’s just gotten so out of hand,” John Richer said. Richer tells Brownfield he’ll […]
Historic drought grips hard red winter wheat belt
An ag economist says nearly half of the U.S. hard red winter wheat crop is facing dire conditions. Brian Basting with Advance Trading says crop conditions have worsened over the […]