Local, State & Ag News
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 8, 2026
May corn $4.47 and 1/4, down 1 and 3/4 centsMay soybeans $11.62, up 3 and 3/4 centsMay soybean meal $314.10, up $2.30May soybean oil 67.42, down $2.30May Chicago wheat $5.80
Strong yields drive partial recovery for Minnesota farms in 2025
Minnesota crop farmers experienced a slight financial rebound in 2025. University of Minnesota Extension economist Pauline Van Nurden says their annual farm finance report represents 10 percent of Minnesota farms
Another solid year-over-year gain in broiler placements
Broiler hatchery numbers were up on the year, continuing to imply bigger chicken production in 2026. The USDA says 252.754 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators last week, dropping
More farmers reaching out to crisis hotline amid economic strain
Calls to the nation’s longest-running farm crisis hotline are on the rise. Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen says the Rural Response Hotline, established in 1984 during the 80s farm
U.S. ethanol exports hit more than one month high, margins improve
U.S. ethanol exports were strong last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says ethanol exports averaged 203,000 barrels per day, the highest in more than a month, rising 80,000 on
Michigan Wheat Program checkoff renewal focused on research to improve yields and quality
A state leader says the recent renewal of the Michigan Wheat Program checkoff will help the organization continue to promote the industry. Executive director Jody Pollok-Newsom says the program develops solutions for
Orange City Man Arrested Following Sex Abuse Investigation in Alton
An Orange City man has been arrested following a months-long sex abuse investigation that began earlier this year in Alton. According to the Orange City Police Department, 21-year-old Cody Patrick
Despite cease-fire in the Middle East, pump prices surge in the Midwest
Gasoline prices aren’t falling in Iowa, at least not yet, though with a two-week cease-fire between the U.S. and Iran reached on Tuesday, crude oil prices began to drop this
The Value of Trust in a Noisy Ag World
There has never been more information available to farmers than there is today, and yet, in many ways, it’s never been harder to know who or what to trust. How
Legislature approves lifting Iowa’s interest rate cap on consumer loans
The Iowa legislature has passed a bill that raises Iowa’s interest rate cap on consumer credit to 36% per year. This would apply to short term “consumer loans” used to
