Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: May 17, 2024
Jul. corn closed at $4.52 and 1/2, down 4 and 1/2 centsJul. soybeans closed at $12.28, up 11 and 3/4 centsJul. soybean meal closed at $368.80, up $1.10Jul. soybean oil closed at 45.27, up 75 pointsJul. wheat closed at $6.51 and 1/4, down 12 centsJun. live cattle closed at $181.05, up $2.02Aug. feeder cattle closed […]
Farm stress programs at the mercy of farm bill funding
A farm stress educator says the value of farm bill funding for mental health resources cannot be understated. Dr. Remington Rice leads Michigan State University Extension’s Managing Farm Stress Program. “We are worried that if there was a lapse in the funding, we would have to tell those farmers that we can no longer afford […]
Soybeans up, expecting more rain in Brazil
Soybeans were higher on speculative and technical buying, while still closing mixed for the week. The Buenos Aires Grain Exchange lowered its guess for Argentina following harvest delays and there is more rain in the forecast for southern Brazil. That includes the key crop state of Rio Grande do Sul, which has been hit hard […]
National FFA CEO joins National Work Readiness Council
The CEO of National FFA has been appointed to the National Work Readiness Council with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Scott Stump tells Brownfield the goal is to address skill gaps identified in young people entering the workforce. “FFA has a premier platform for developing those work ready skills in students and, you know, we […]
Wisconsin dairy farm loss rate constant
A University researcher says the rate of Wisconsin dairy farm losses has been constant. Ag Economist Jeremy Foltz tells Brownfield Wisconsin has about half as many dairy farms as it did twenty years ago. “It’s particularly older farmers and smaller farms and farms that are less productive, that is, have cows that produce less milk […]
Sioux Center Police Chief Josh Koedam
Traffic Issues
Near-record Iowa travel numbers forecast for upcoming holiday weekend
With the Memorial Day weekend just ahead, it’s predicted travelers from Iowa will be on the roads in record or near-record numbers. Brian Ortner, with AAA Iowa, says the motor club is forecasting more than 3.6-million people across the Midwest will be traveling 50 miles or more during the long weekend, which is up 136,000 […]
Iowa Senate’s GOP leader undergoing treatment for brain tumor
Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver announced this afternoon that he’s undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. Whitver, in a written statement, said he is remaining in the Iowa Senate and continuing in his role as majority leader. In his statement, Whitver said he is “responding well” to radiation therapy. Whitver said he intends to lead […]
Farmers take advantage of drier conditions for forage cutting
A central Missouri farmer says the consistent rains have delayed cutting triticale and the crop has declined in quality. But Nathan Alpers says there will be more tonnage compared to last year. “It’s a lot taller than last year, because last year we got it cut at the optimal time. This year, due to Mother […]
Reference price increase included in House Ag Committee’s farm bill
An increase in reference prices is included in the new farm bill the House Agriculture Committee will mark up on Thursday and a U.S. Congressman from South Dakota says it’s a much-needed change. Dusty Johnson says this is the biggest reinvestment into the commodities title since 2002. “The reference price increase will vary by commodity. […]
