A southern North Dakota farmer says the 2024 crop year went better than expected on his farm. Josh Gackle raises 2,800 acres of soybeans, corn, wheat, and barley near Kulm. “The soybean crop was so-so and the corn crop was pretty nice. Anytime we can finish up before Thanksgiving it...

Broiler hatchery numbers continue to point to higher production. The USDA says 247.672 million broiler-type eggs entered incubation last week, up 2.121 million from the prior week and 2% from a year ago as average hatchability remained around 80%. 189.191 million broiler-type chicks were placed into meat production, a rise...

The dollar index (DXY00 ) Wednesday fell by -0.03%. The dollar Wednesday gave up an early advance and turned lower on weakness in US economic reports that showed the Nov ADP employment change rose less than expected and the Nov ISM services index fell more than expected. The dollar today...

January WTI crude oil (CLF25 ) Wednesday closed down -1.40 (-2.00%), and January RBOB gasoline (RBF25 ) closed down -0.0233 (-1.19%). Crude oil and gasoline prices Wednesday gave up an early advance and settled moderately lower. Weaker than expected US economic news Wednesday on Nov ADP employment and Nov ISM...

The president of the American Farm Bureau Federation says declining farm incomes threaten the future sustainability of family farms. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall tells Brownfield, “We’re really concerned about some of our farmers being able to get operating loans this year, it’s been a very, very difficult...

January Nymex natural gas (NGF25 ) on Wednesday closed higher by +0.001 (+0.03%) Jan nat-gas prices on Wednesday recovered from a 2-1/2 week low and settled slightly higher. Short covering emerged in nat-gas futures late in the session Wednesday after updated forecasts called for the western half of the US...

Field trials are helping sorghum growers figure when to apply fungicides to maximize yields. Kansas State University row crop specialist Rodrigo Onofre tells Brownfield research was done on three fields near Bavaria, Dighton and Russell. “We had a positive response from those fungicides either applying at planting or at beginning...

Farm Bureau members are not giving up on their call to Congress to act on the farm bill. Michigan Farm Bureau’s National Legislative Counsel John Kran tells Brownfield there are too many issues impacting the rural economy to give up on pressing Congress to pass legislation in the final days...

A regional sales agronomist with Stine Seed says many farmers are facing tough choices while finalizing plans for 2025. Jake Anderson, who covers the northern third of Illinois, says the down ag economy has many growers looking for ways to save. “If you’ve got really high fertility, I would hesitate...

Vishay Intertechnology is a semiconductor manufacturing company that could benefit from its key role in the Nvidia supply chain.

A west-central Minnesota farmer anticipates another difficult year in 2025. Anne Schwagerl and her husband own and operate a diversified grain and livestock farm in Big Stone County. “It’s going to be another tough year. This year was tough because we had relatively low prices, but then we got hammered...

There’s more volatility in the cattle markets ahead.  Livestock economist Scott Brown says tight cattle supplies could get even tighter. “Given where we are on the cycle, we need every animal possible,” he says.  Last week, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service placed an import ban on live...

Cash dairy prices were mixed Wednesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.  Dry whey prices were down $0.0225 at $0.7025. Three sales were recorded, ranging from $0.7025 to $0.72.  Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.03 at $1.70.  Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6775 to $1.70.  Cheese barrels were up $0.0175...

A western Indiana pork producer says Proposition 12 can create new opportunities to market pork to consumers. Brian Martin says Martin Family Farms implemented loose sow housing in 2006 and they’ve seen the benefits. “Oriented correctly, we have seen a much more calm environment, properly managed,” he says. “We’ve seen...

SoFi stock more than doubled last year and is up 66% YTD. Here's the 2025 forecast for SoFi and the key factors that could drive shares.