Susan Littlefield

1 week ago | americanagnetwork.com | Susan Littlefield

Supply and demand fundamentals are coming into focus, with the added potential for a weather-driven rally as the GFS model shifts weekend rain expectations. Grain and oilseed futures are trading mixed in what’s been a relatively quiet session. U.S. corn planting progress, at just 4% as of April 13, marks the slowest start in three years, with cool temperatures continuing to limit fieldwork.

1 week ago | americanagnetwork.com | Susan Littlefield

According to the USDA’s Crop Progress report released on April 14, 2025, U.S. corn planting is progressing slightly behind the five-year average. As of April 13, 4% of the nation’s corn crop had been planted, compared to 5% for the five-year average and 6% at the same time last year. Texas leads with 63% of its corn acreage planted, while Nebraska has just begun at 1% .​Cool temperatures are helping to limit planting activity along with wet conditions in the Mid-South and southern Midwest.

1 week ago | americanagnetwork.com | Susan Littlefield

LINCOLN, NE – LINCOLN, NE – Today, Governor Jim Pillen announced a new program through the Nebraska Department of Labor (DOL) aimed at attracting and retaining production animal veterinarians in rural Nebraska. The Rural Veterinarian Grant Program is the second initiative the Governor has launched focused on growing the next generation of production animal veterinarians in the state.

1 week ago | americanagnetwork.com | Susan Littlefield

Support in livestock futures is coming from technical buying, easing tariff concerns, and strength in the broader U.S. stock market. Live cattle continue to draw strength from their discount to the cash market, although lower cash trade is still anticipated this week. It’s a quiet start to the cash cattle market with no packer bids or feedlot asking prices established so far.

2 weeks ago | americanagnetwork.com | Susan Littlefield

Tariff tensions aren’t going away anytime soon, and maintaining China as a trading partner remains critical. The broader economy—and its ripple effects—continue to tie directly back to the ag sector. A spokesperson for China’s Commerce Ministry said Thursday that Beijing hoped the US would work to de-escalate the trade war between the world’s two largest economies after President Trump announced a pause on higher tariffs he had imposed on many other countries.