Author: staff

Rep. Harriet Hageman, R-Wyo., and Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., have reintroduced the Country of Origin Labeling Enforcement Act, which would reinstate mandatory country-of-origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.  “American consumers deserve accurate information on the products they buy, and U.S. ranchers deserve honest and fair competition in the marketplace. The U.S. abandoned MCOOL for beef in 2016 following a World Trade Organization ruling. This change lifted the profit margins of monopolistic big packers at the expense of the American rancher. The domestic market is finally providing the means for our producers to keep family ranches alive, and we must protect these…

Milk futures prices have struggled for the past year, as increased production has kept steady pressure on product values. Herd expansion, efficiency, increased revenue from breeding for beef calves, and technical selling have all played a part in weaker prices.  World global dairy trade prices have slid as well. The dairy processing industry is expanding, with some estimates as high as $10 billion dedicated toward either revamping or building new processing plants. If demand increases, can the dairy herd respond in a timely fashion to meet demand? Or will a limited supply of dairy heifers and cows help push milk…

By Ryan Hanrahan Politico’s Grace Yarrow and Meredith Lee Hill reported late last week that “the Trump administration plans to roll out an initial payment of up to $12 billion for farmers hurt by the president’s tariff policies once the government shutdown ends, according to three people familiar with the matter. The finalized amount will come on top of President Donald Trump’s recently announced truce with China, which could also give some relief to U.S. producers of soybeans, sorghum and meat.” “Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters Thursday that a Market Facilitation Program — similar to the $28 billion farmer…

Voting is now open to select the winner of the 13th annual National Anthem Contest. Four finalists have been selected, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is inviting the public to vote through Nov. 15. The winner will perform the Star-Spangled Banner at the Opening General Session of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee, Feb. 3 to 5, and will receive round trip airfare, a hotel room for three nights, complimentary convention registration, plus a pair of boots, jeans, and a shirt from Roper or Stetson. Introducing the four finalists: Elle Glaser of Tangent, Oregon, is a fourth-generation farmer who grew…

Just after 9:00 a.m. CT, December corn was down 4¢ at $4.30¼ per bushel. January soybeans were down 15¢ at $11.19¼ per bushel. “Corn, soybeans, and wheat are seeing profit taking this morning following [Monday’s] strong finish,” said Karl Setzer, partner with Consus Ag Consulting. “News that China is booking Brazil soybeans along with U.S. soybeans is removing some of the bullish sentiment following last week’s market run up following the U.S./China trade agreement. A simple correction from [Monday’s] rally is also weighing on the soy complex, as is the end of meals run of 14 consecutive higher closes that…

Most farmers in Iowa are finished with corn and soybean harvest or have just a handful of acres left in the field, according to average harvest rates.  Exact data is not available due to the ongoing government shutdown, which paused crop progress and condition reports from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. At this point in the season last year, corn harvest was 92% which was nearly a week ahead of the 2023 harvest and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Soybeans were 98% complete this time last year.  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said farmers have typically harvested…

By Brendan O’Boyle and Cassandra Garrison MEXICO CITY, Nov. 4 (Reuters) – The U.S. is not yet ready to reopen its border to Mexican cattle amid an outbreak of the flesh-eating New World screwworm parasite, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said, but she is pleased with Mexico’s efforts to contain the pest. Rollins, in Mexico City for meetings with officials including President Claudia Sheinbaum, told Reuters in an exclusive interview on Monday that President Donald Trump was “very focused” on reopening the border, which has been largely closed to Mexican livestock since May. “We’re still not at the point where I am comfortable opening the…

Does this sound familiar? “I used to like to read the paper every morning. But now it is so full of politics and negative news that I only read the business and sports pages.” That’s what a longtime customer from Iowa told me. He said he can still trade weather markets, but the markets driven by U.S. and global politics, changing trade policies, and tariffs are really tough. “I just can’t stomach all the angry news,” he said. “So I miss out on some of the facts.” I understand how frustrating reading the morning paper can be these days. However,…

By Naveen Thukral and Ella Cao SINGAPORE/BEIJING, Nov. 3 (Reuters) – Chinese soybean importers have stepped up purchases of Brazilian cargoes in recent days as South American prices eased on expectations a U.S.-China trade deal will lead to a resumption of U.S. sales to the world’s largest soybean importer. Buyers have booked 10 cargoes of Brazilian soybeans for December shipment and 10 for March-July with South American prices now quoted below offers being made for U.S. cargoes, three traders said on Monday. Brazilian soybeans had traded at higher prices than U.S. supplies in recent weeks as steep Chinese tariffs curbed demand for U.S. beans.…

By Julie Ingwersen CHICAGO, Nov. 3 (Reuters) – The U.S. harvest of soybeans and corn is winding down, a Reuters analyst poll showed on Monday, with mostly dry conditions over the weekend helping to speed progress in the Midwest crop belt. The U.S. soybean harvest was 91% complete as of Sunday and the corn harvest was 83% finished, according to a Reuters poll of nine analysts. Farmers are harvesting what has been projected as the biggest U.S. corn crop in history along with a bumper soybean crop. The U.S. is the world’s top corn exporter and the No. 2 soybean…