U.S. Sugar Producers Close to Collapse as Alliance Calls for Higher Tariffs on Imports
U.S. sugar producers are facing a potential collapse as the American Sugar Alliance urges the U.S. Trade Representative to invoke Section 310 powers and raise tariffs on cheap imports. The Alliance reports a dramatic surge in foreign sugar shipments, climbing from 86% of imports in 2021 to nearly 3,000% by 2025, eroding domestic market protections. Over the past two seasons, producers have lost more than $2 billion in sales, and they warn that continued import flows could force many growers out of business. The issue will be examined at upcoming USTR hearings in May.
Cattle Futures Lower Heading Into Midweek
Cattle futures slipped on Tuesday as technical selling pressured live and feeder contracts, with June live cattle down $2.52 to $243.55 and May feeder cattle off $2.55 to $358.55 per hundredweight. Direct cash cattle activity was muted, and auction prices...
Purdue Economist: Geopolitical Tensions Igniting Long-Term Concerns About Fertilizer Prices
Purdue economist Joana Colussi warns that the ongoing conflict in Iran has pushed U.S. fertilizer input costs up more than 30% since late February, creating immediate pressure on the current crop season and a heightened risk of elevated prices through the...
Former USDA Economist Explains What’s Driving the U.S. Ag Trade Deficit
Former USDA chief economist Joe Glauber told Brownfield that the U.S. agricultural trade deficit is shrinking, dropping from $6.5 billion in January 2025 to $1.75 billion in January 2026. He emphasized that the deficit reflects low export prices rather than a loss...
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 17, 2026
U.S. grain futures showed mixed movement on April 17, with May corn edging up 0.25 cent to $4.48 per bushel and soybeans gaining 3.5 cents to $11.67, while May wheat slipped 7.25 cents to $5.91. Livestock contracts fell across the...
Global Conflict and Trade Shifts Pressuring U.S. Ag Exports
U.S. agricultural exports are feeling pressure from two fronts: the ongoing Iranian conflict, which is inflating global commodity and energy prices, and rising political uncertainty around the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal. President Trump has signaled a possible rollback of the...
Tight Cattle Supplies Could Continue to Support Prices
U.S. cattle on feed slipped 1% year‑over‑year to 11.576 million head, according to USDA data released in mid‑April. Steer‑calf and heifer inventories each fell about 1%, while March placements into feedlots dropped 7% to 1.709 million, the second‑lowest monthly total on record....
Why Exports Matter, Even in Times of Tight Supplies
U.S. beef exports to Mexico generate roughly $1.3 billion, while pork shipments total about $2.9 billion. Despite a record‑large cattle herd, industry leaders argue that maintaining these markets is critical for farm profitability and price stability. Jay Theiler, chair of the US...
Planting Green Into Cover Crops Is Cutting Input Costs for Central Illinois Farmer
Central Illinois farmer Derek Martin has embraced “planting green,” sowing cereal rye into standing cover crops before planting corn or soybeans. The practice lets him reduce seed‑treatment, fertilizer and weed‑control chemical purchases while improving soil health. By increasing rye biomass...
Grant Funding From Lilly Endowment Supports Growth of the Indiana FFA Organization
The Indiana FFA Foundation received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment to upgrade its Indiana FFA Leadership Center. Executive director Lisa Chaudion says the funds will modernize the hub that trains members in leadership and fosters lifelong connections. The...
GROWMARK Agronomists Embracing AI
GROWMARK has partnered with Intelinair to embed an AI agent within its myFS Agronomy app, allowing agronomists to process massive data sets in minutes. The AI-driven tool promises better seed placement, in‑season risk management, and tailored product guides. By automating...
Soybeans Supported by Expectations for U.S./China Trade Talks
Soybean futures climbed on fund and technical buying as traders grew optimistic about a mid‑May high‑level U.S.–China trade meeting, spurred by a recent Trump social‑media post. The meeting, delayed by the Iran conflict, is seen as a catalyst for easing...
Another Week of Increases for Broiler Sets, Placements
The USDA reported that 255.581 million broiler‑type eggs were set this week, a 3.011 million increase and a 2% rise year‑over‑year, with hatchability holding at 79.4%. Placements rose to 197.431 million chicks, up 492,000 from the prior week and 3% above the same...
Economist Says Many 2027 Fertilizer Decisions Will Be Made Soon
CoBank farm‑supply economist Jacqui Fatka warns that U.S. fertilizer buying decisions for the 2027 season will be locked in this summer. The timing is driven by heightened uncertainty from the ongoing U.S.–Iran conflict and the upcoming USMCA renegotiations that could...
Michigan Ag Budget Moves Forward in Senate with Funds for Meat Processing and Local Food Programs
The Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee advanced a bipartisan agriculture budget that earmarks $4 million from the state’s Dairy and Food Safety Fund to expand locally owned meat‑processing capacity. The proposal also restores funding for livestock research through the Michigan Animal Agriculture...