• This week in the markets - Live cash fed cattle were up $3.40 this week. Feeder cattle markets were $2 to $6 higher for the week. October live cattle closed $1.70 higher this week and September feeder cattle futures closed $0.55 higher this week. The Choice Box Beef price was $9.50 higher this week led by ribs and loins. Cash hogs closed $4.50 lower on the week. October lean hogs closed more than $2.50 lower for the week. The pork cutout value was $6.50 lower for the week, as weakness showed in in hams and bellies.
• Cold Storage - The Cold Storage report showed beef in storage down 6% relative to a year ago while pork stocks climbed were 9% above a year ago. Domestic demand for beef and pork appears to remain supportive given the increase in beef and pork supplies
• Cattle on Feed – August 1 cattle on feed inventory was 100.2 of a year ago suggesting inventory growth has been slowing. This on feed inventory cam in at the low end of the pre-report estimates. Cattle placed on feed during July was 97.9 of a year ago suggesting a slowing of placements.
• Next weeks’ reports – Restaurant Performance Index and U.S. and Canadian Cattle and Hogs.

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Research has shown that a farmer’s best chance to control weeds happens when they spray early. 

In this Managing for Profit, University of Wisconsin weed scientist Rodrigo Werle addresses some of the challenges farmers face and why now is the perfect time to start planning for the 2020 crop year.

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Every season in the Upper Midwest has its own destructive weather. Country Financial insurance agent Josh Thill tells Brownfield property owners should be sure they have adequate insurance coverage to protect against property losses due to all kinds of weather, from hail, to tornadoes, to snow collapses. 

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Here is another in a series of reports on how Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is “Powering Nebraska”. Today, NPPD customer services leader Brittney Koenig tells us about the Pennies for Power program, NPPD’s energy assistance program designed to aid NPPD customers who are struggling to pay their electric bill. Brittney says since its inception in 2002, the program has aided more than 3,850 families by distributing more than $585,000.

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·This week in the markets – Cash cattle were down $8.70 this week. Feeder cattle were $2 to $12 lower. The October live cattle futures contract was down nearly $9, and the September feeder cattle futures closed $6 lower, despite September corn futures losing $.39 this week. Choice box beef prices was $14 higher as there was strength across the board, but was led by ribs and loins. Cash barrow and gilt prices were $2.25 lower this week and the October lean hog futures contract slid $4.25. The pork cutout value was unchanged this week, despite higher bellies. That puts both Choice Box Beef and the Pork Cutout value $.20 above year-ago levels. 

·The USDA’s Supply and Demand report – Feed costs have been projected to decline for the remainder of the year. But the uncertainty of the crop suggests there is some upside potential to corn and soybean prices. Livestock producers should strongly consider some risk management in terms of input costs. 

·Retail Prices – The Choice beef retail price was unchanged in July relative to June and stands $.13 cents above year-ago levels. The pork retail price gained $.01 this month and stands $.20 higher than a year ago. 

·Farmer’s Share of the retail dollar – For beef, we started the year nearly 47% and are currently sitting at about 41% of the retail dollar. As a comparison, in January 2015, farmers were capturing about 56 percent of the retail dollar. For pork, we started the year capturing 19% of the retail dollar and that’s improved to 23% due in part to increased packer capacity. 

·Consumer Sentiment – Declined to its lowest level since the start of the year. The overall index was down 6.4% relative to July and 4.3% lower than a year ago. Much of that weakness is related to what consumers fear is an economy running out of steam.

·Next week’s reports – Cold Storage, Livestock Slaughter, and Cattle on Feed. 

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This year’s wet, cool spring put the corn crop across the Midwest at risk for a higher incidence of corn plant diseases.

In this Managing for Profit, Jeremy Lake – Dekalb product development manager shares ways farmers can be proactive in managing that risk.

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Bill Corcoran, a representative with Country Financial says insurance is essential for protecting the financial well-being of a farm family. Farmers need to keep in touch with insurance providers to be sure building and equipment valuations are up to date, according to Corcoran. They need to avoid one of the most common misconceptions about insuring their farm. “A lot of farmers just kind of assume that everything’s covered,” said Corcoran.

Regardless of which company provides insurance, Corcoran says it’s good to have an agent periodically visit the farm.

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Here is another in a series of reports on how Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is “Powering Nebraska”. Today, NPPD president and CEO Pat Pope discusses steps the organization is taking to reduce its carbon footprint. Those steps include looking at new technologies to drive additional efficiencies at NPPD’s generation plants, working with local communities on battery storage and solar projects, and partnering with the University of Nebraska on its Energy Science Research Center.

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Brownfield Anchor/Reporter Meghan Grebner and University of Missouri Market Analyst Scott Brown give a weekly recap of the markets. They discuss how it can impact farmers' bottom lines.

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Controlling weeds is one of the most important components to a successful farming year. 

In this Managing for Profit, Iowa farmer April Hemmes shares why the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System was the right fit for her farm and why having access to that technology is important to her bottom line.

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