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Trends and takeaways from the October Cattle on Feed Report
USDA published the October Cattle on Feed Report on Friday and the report provided us clues on the direction of the United States cattle herd. The placements number was below trade expectations; USDA livestock analyst Anthony Fischer provides the data. Fischer says that the heifer retention rates do not show a substantial effort to rebuild the cattle herd right now. He says that a rebound in prices in recent weeks could be a factor in the heifer numbers. That was USDA livestock analyst Anthony...
Record U.S. soybean production means more exports
USDA’s recent record soybean forecast will lead to more soybean exports, according to World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. Increased soybean exports from the United States will help to fill the gap globally for declines in production elsewhere says...
Knowing when to keep or replace alfalfa
Dry conditions in some parts of the country during the growing season have taken a toll on alfalfa production, leaving affected farmers wondering whether their stands will survive the winter or if it's time to rotate those fields into another crop. However, reduced...
NFU welcomes federal inquiry into ag equipment market
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is welcoming a new USDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiry into competition concerns in the agricultural equipment market. NFU President Rob Larew said farmers have been raising concerns about consolidation and limited...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-14-26)
As harvest continues in the United States, farmers in Brazil and Argentina are planting for the next crop season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said planting progress in Brazil is...
Soybean checkoff looks ahead after 35 years
With tight margins continuing to squeeze farm budgets, soybean producers are scrutinizing every dollar they spend. That includes their investments in the soybean checkoff, which has spent the past 35 years developing markets and creating additional demand for American...
Harvest pace per USDA Mid-October progress report
Despite the slower than usual pace of harvest for parts of the Midwest and Corn Belt, including Iowa, other regions of the country have made substantial progress. How are major row crops coming along with their harvest progress as October approaches its midway point?...
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More Ag News
Harvest is a good time to think about changes for next year
Plenty of rain has caused harvest delays and yield losses in fields across the state. While nothing can be changed about that at this point in the crop year, now is still a good time to make observations of what things can be improved for next year. Landus Cooperative...
August beef exports above last year while pork trended lower
Fueled by a near-record performance in Taiwan and a rebound in South Korea, August exports of U.S. beef increased year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports reached 86,362 metric tons (mt)...
More farmers using drones than ever
Just a few years ago, drones were a novelty in the agricultural world. Today they are being used in ever increasing numbers and are becoming a major part of farming operations across the country. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation,...
Chinese buyers book another large round of U.S. soybeans
Chinese state-owned trading firms have purchased another 10 to 13 cargoes of U.S. soybeans, adding to a major round of buying earlier this week and signaling renewed demand from China. Reuters reports the latest purchases are scheduled for shipment between December...
Soybean checkoff partnerships drive new market opportunities
The uses for American soybeans have expanded well beyond traditional food and livestock feed markets. From renewable fuels and building materials to everyday products, soybeans are finding their way into an increasing number of applications. Developing those markets,...
