Catch the 60 second Market Reports from Brownfield everyday Monday thru Friday. The Opening Market Report is at 9:45am, the Midday Market Report is at 11:45am, and the Closing Market Report is at 3:45pm on Y1013 Y Country.
Milk futures and the cash dairy prices were mostly higher Tuesday on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. April Class III milk was up $0.05 at $15.49. May was up $0.36 at $17.22. June was up $0.33 at $17.57. July was up $0.20 at $17.98. August through November contracts ranged from two cents lower in November to twelve cents higher in August. November was the only month to see a price drop Tuesday. Dry whey was up $0.02 at $0.38. Two sales were recorded at $0.38 and $0.39. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0425 at $1.61. Eleven trades were recorded, ranging from $1.60 to $1.61. Cheese barrels were up $0.0375 at $1.61. Seven sales were recorded, ranging from $1.60 to $1.61. Butter was up $0.02 at $2.94. Three trades were recorded, ranging from $2.94 to $2.95. Nonfat dry milk was down $0.0075 at $1.1275. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.1225 to $1.1275. ...
The chief ag negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in U.S. dairy cattle hasn’t caused global trade disruptions. Doug McKalip says that’s because U.S. milk is pasteurized. “It’s been a key part of our conversations with trading partners to minimize backlash on dairy.” McKalip says the administration will be engaged with the beef industry on any next steps if necessary and the goal is to let science prevail. ...
A lender says more farmers are seeking agricultural operating loans so far in 2024 from non-traditional financing sources outside of their bank. Benjamin Gehke with Ag Resource Management tells Brownfield business is, “up significantly, about 40% growth.” Gehke says when banks are reluctant to loan money, they work with farmers using crop insurance as the loan collateral, so the farmer doesn’t have to sell assets just to keep farming. Gehke says the low cash-on-hand combined with today’s commodity prices does not make it easy for farmers. ...
Commentary. Did the reaction to COVID-19 change the way you communicate? I have asked that question several times since March of 2020 when the world as we knew it rocked on its axis for a bit. Most of the farm broadcasters on my team from home offices and have for years, so there were no major shifts there. Although we were used to talking to farmers and newsmakers on the phone and through social platforms, we were not used to those being our only means by which to communicate with them. We missed covering actual meetings (not the virtual ones) and visiting farmers on their farms. ...