Check our advice monitor on ProFarmer.com for updates to our marketing plan.
According to the National Weather Service, A strong cold front will sweep across the northern Plains and Upper Midwest today (Tuesday) followed by the Great Lakes, Ohio Valley and central Plains Wednesday into Thursday. The front will kick off showers and thunderstorms as it pushes to the south and east the next few days, with locally heavy rain and isolated flash flooding possible. More notable will be the significant temperature drop in the wake of the cold front as a much colder airmass settles into the region.
Farmer sentiments in decline… West Lafayette, IN -- Farmer sentiment dipped again in August as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index fell 10 points to 125. Producers were markedly less optimistic about the future in August as the Index of Future Expectations dropped 16 points to 123. This was the lowest reading for the future index since last September. Producers’ perspective on current conditions changed little this month, with a Current Conditions Index reading of 129 versus 127 in July.
Sentiment differed widely among producers depending on whether their farm is primarily a crop operation or a livestock operation. Responses from crop producers this month were much less optimistic than those from livestock producers, which indicates the disparity in profitability between crop and livestock enterprises.
Beef cattle operations in particular are experiencing record profitability as the smallest cattle inventory since 1951 has pushed cattle prices to record levels. This stands in sharp contrast to returns for crop production which have weakened in 2025.
The August barometer survey took place from August 11-15, 2025. -source: Purdue Center for Commercial Agriculture, Langemeier & Mintert
Renewable Fuels Champion, Senator to stand down… WEST DES MOINES, IA – Today, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) announced she will not be seeking re-election next term. Ernst has served in the U.S. Senate since 2015 and is the first female combat veteran to serve in the chamber. Ernst has been a vocal advocate for renewable fuels and Iowa agriculture.
“From the Iowa Senate to U.S. Senate, Sen. Ernst has been a relentless champion for renewable fuels and farmers,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “Her dedication to expanding access to renewable fuels and defending Iowa’s agricultural economy has made a real difference. On behalf of all IRFA members, I sincerely thank Senator Ernst for her service and wish her the best in her next chapter.” -source: Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Press Release
Rollins venerates veterinarians… Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Friday a commitment to new actions to increase the number of rural food animal veterinarians across the U.S. and recruit new veterinarians to join the USDA in their role to protect American ranchers, animals, and the food supply. Rollins noted, “USDA is putting Farmers First to ensure we build back our first line of defense in our animal food production system – the rural veterinarian.”
NCGA rings alarm bell… Chesterfield, MO -- This week, the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) continued to raise alarm about the economic crisis hitting rural America, as commodity prices drop at a time when input costs remain at near-record highs. As NCGA urges Congress and the administration to act to drive increased demand for corn, such as higher blends of ethanol and increased foreign market access, it has also raised concerns about input costs.
“At a time when many corn farmers are facing a reality of losing money after yet another year of hard work,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth Hartman Jr, “it is essential that we examine all factors contributing to the economic hardships facing corn growers.”
Average corn production costs have dropped just 3 percent from their peak in 2022 to 2025 while corn prices have declined by over 50 percent over the same period. Even with higher yields, farmers are unlikely to be able to offset these high costs, resulting in continued and widening negative profit margins for the third consecutive year.
A farmer with an average cost of production who receives the expected average price is facing an $0.85 per bushel loss in 2025. The outlook for 2026 is even worse, with a forecast projecting lower corn prices and rising costs. -source NCGA Press Release, Chief Economist, Krista Swanson and D.C. Economist, Gretchen Kuck
Softer butter brings buyers… Butter prices have fallen sharply recently as improved genomic testing and specialized feed have boosted the fat content in milk. Analyst Katie Burgess of EverAg says a drop of 13.5 cents last week was the biggest single-day drop in nearly two years. While the dip is concerning for dairy producers, consumers may benefit if retailers roll out more aggressive butter promotions for holiday shopping. Internationally, U.S. butter is the cheapest in the world, fueling exports that recently reached their highest level since 2014.
Notable closes:
October lean hogs closed higher for the seventh consecutive session... the move higher was roadblocked by resistance at $96.00 even.
- October hogs 52 ½ cents higher at $95.55
Traders today ignored reports of disease in the bean crop, as well as the weather forecast which includes the potential for a frost in northern production areas as early as Thursday. November beans opened lower and near session highs and closed at the lowest level since August 20.
- November beans were 13 1/2 cents lower at $10.41
- January beans down 13 cents to $10.59 1/2
- March beans closed at $10.75, down 12 cents