Brownfield Ag News

Jacob Hurd was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the field and court. The thing he loves most about high school sports is how they teach him lessons and prepare him for the real world. It teaches him discipline and how to manage everyday life. It helps him learn how to work well with a team and how to problem-solve when an issue occurs. Jacob competes in basketball, football, and track and field as well as participates in FFA. He is involved with FFA's Feed the Farmer, where he completed his service project of picking up trash at local parks to keep the environment clean. Agriculture means everything to Jacob. Since he was seven years old, he was out driving a tractor, doing everything he could to help his grandfather and father on the farm. Never once has any other job but farming ever crossed his mind. He loves absolutely everything about farming, from waking up early morning chores to combining until late at night, and has never questioned his love for the career. Farming will forever be his passion. After he graduates high school, Jacob plans to attend Dordt University to major in agriculture and play football.

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Kolton Small was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for his commitment and passion on and off the field and court. He loves high school sports because they offer so much more than just competition. They teach life lessons throughout his entire journey. His favorite part is the process it takes to be successful. From early morning practices to pushing through moments of doubt, it's the hard work, dedication, and teamwork that make the victories feel truly earned. There’s something deeply rewarding about knowing that every small effort contributes to the bigger picture. That process of growth, both as an athlete and as part of a team, is what makes high school sports so special to him. Kolton competes in football, baseball, and track and field. He participates in PBIS Student Committee (Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports), National Honor Society, FFA - Rodeo, and student council. Kolton is also involved in M-Power-U, Hometown Day, pancake breakfast, chili cook-off contest, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Fellowship of Christian Athletes Leadership, Nexus - Youth Group, and Phi Thetta Kappa. Agriculture is incredibly important to Kolton and his family. It is not only the foundation of their livelihood but also a deeply rooted tradition. His family has been farming for generations, and farming is their main source of income. The values of hard work, dedication, and resilience that come with farming have shaped Kolton into the person he is today. Growing up around the farm, he has seen firsthand how farming requires, not only physical labor but careful planning and innovation to ensure success in an ever-changing environment. Kolton plans on attending a four-year university or private college to pursue a degree in physical education and strength and conditioning to become a high school strength and conditioning coach. He will also throw shot put and discus for track and field at the school he chooses.

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In this Spotlight on Soybeans, listen in on Missouri Soybeans' successful marketing mission to Mexico and Panama, which highlighted the importance of personal relationships in international trade. The mission aimed to build trust and secure long-term demand for Missouri soybeans. Positive feedback from key customers emphasized the quality and reliability of Missouri soybeans, with a significant customer already sourcing 29% of their soybeans from Missouri.

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Saela Steege was nominated as a Beck’s Player with Heart for her commitment and passion on and off the court, field, and course. She loves high school sports for many reasons, as it teaches her about the power of a positive attitude, hard work, humility, self-motivation, discipline, and the importance of steadfast faith through all of it. Mostly, she is grateful for the relationships she has made and the life lessons learned along the way. Saela competes in basketball, softball, cross country, and track and field. She is involved in Cougar Leadership, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Wellness, FFA, National Honor Society, SWAT (Students Working Against Tobacco), choir, Silver Cord (an organization that promotes volunteerism), and 4-H. These organizations have allowed Saela the privilege to volunteer at numerous events, including Pumpkin Fest, Hometown Christmas, peer tutoring, and supporting her local blood drive. Her athletic teams provide a multitude of services to help the youth programs, like helping to maintain the youth softball/baseball fields, referee youth basketball games, and attending youth practices for positive peer influence.

Saela is heavily involved in her church and enjoys helping the elderly by raking leaves & shoveling snow. She also assists with her Vacation Bible School program. She participates in local outreach by volunteering at fundraising events such as the annual Spuds 'n More dinner. Through 4-H, she serves community members at an omelet brunch. Saela was also honored this past summer by being awarded Miss Fredericksburg 2024. In this position, she serves as a representative for the town of Fredericksburg and has enjoyed visiting local nursing homes, being involved with community youth events, and promoting her hometown. Agriculture to Saela means family, love, pride, hard work, responsible stewardship of land, a passion to provide the best possible future for generations to come, and a lifestyle built on integrity. She hopes to inspire other women in agriculture. Saela plans to attend a 4-year University to major in agribusiness and minor in agronomy. She is hopeful to continue her work on her family farm.

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As farmers plan out their weed management strategies, Corteva Agriscience Market Development Specialist Scott Pringnitz says preparing an effective strategy for controlling early emerging weeds is a key to success this year. He tells Brownfield a full program approach will help growers keep fields clean all season long. 

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On this episode of Weekly Livestock Market Update, Brownfield's Meghan Grebner talks with University of Kentucky ag economist Kenny Burdine about cold storage and trade.

Market highlights:

The 5-market average fed steer price was down by about $1.50 this week, averaging $198 as of Friday morning. Volume was light, but the live cattle board was down today.

February live cattle futures prices were virtually unchanged, closing Friday at $197.73.

Choice boxed beef price improved by about $1 per cwt, coming in just under $312.

March feeder cattle futures prices gained $7 from last week and closed today at $274.90.

The national base hog carcass price was off by less than $1 at $86.81 for the week.

Pork cutout values were essentially unchanged at $99.02 per cwt.

April lean hog futures were down this week, losing almost $4 and closing today at $84.07.

Weekly Slaughter:

Cattle slaughter was estimated down 0.5% from last week at 566,000 head. That remains down pretty sharply year-to-date.

Hog slaughter was virtually flat with last week at 2.54 million head, but also down pretty sharply year-to-date.

Another item is interest is calf slaughter, which is down more than 30% year-over-year to date.

Cold Storage:

January frozen beef supplies up 3% from December, but essentially unchanged from January 2024.

Frozen pork supplies up 3% from December, but down 11% from last year.

Bellies remain one of the more interesting items in the report – up 24% from last month, but 39% below last year

Other notes:

Last weekly data on live cattle imports from Mexico were from the third week of February. For perspective, this quantity was about 26% of the average during 2024.

Tariff uncertainties continue – the potential for retaliatory tariffs remains and uncertainty in the market.

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About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

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On this episode of Agriculture Today, we'll learn about the current state of farm credit conditions, the Poultry Federation's reaction to the USDA's new avian influenza response plan, how livestock viruses are impacting producers in Minnesota, and an update on President Trump's staffing cuts at the National Weather Service - of the potential impacts there to forecasting capabilities.

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Brownfield's Mark Dorenkamp visited with Iowa Farm Bureau economist Christopher Pudenz at the Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Outlook Meeting in Forest City, Iowa. Pudenz says the message to cattle feeders is maximum financial exposure.

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On this episode of Outdoor Adventures, Brownfield’s Brent Barnett goes on a shed antler hunt with First Gen Hunter Podcast host Kent Boucher. They were able to find a couple sheds on some Iowa public land!

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Brownfield Commodity Market Reporter John Perkins has your look at the declines in cattle, soybeans, corn, wheat, and hogs.

Closing numbers:

» March corn $4.53 and ½ down $.11 and 1/4

» March soybeans $10.11 and ½ down $.11 and 1/4

» March soybean meal $291.70 up $.80

» March soybean oil 43.53 down 122 points

» March Chicago wheat $5.37 down $.09 and 3/4

» April live cattle $192.65 down $3.47

» April lean hogs $83.67 down $.70

Connect with Brownfield Ag News:

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About Brownfield Ag News:

Brownfield Ag News is your trusted source for reliable agriculture news, market trends, weather updates, and expert interviews. Get comprehensive coverage and stay ahead in the ever-evolving agriculture industry.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.