FarmToFork Newsletter

FarmToFork

Fresh Food, Better Community

Greetings,

The Farmers Digest

Week of July 6th • Presented by FarmToFork

Greetings, friends! I don’t know about you guys but it is getting hot here in the midwest. A lot is happening in the news. Treaties being signed, more Chinese spies getting caught, bills being passed and so much more. As always if your looking for more information on market gardens, new technology in row crops, sustainable agriculture and so much more check out are articles on www.farmtofork.life.
Let's dive in!

Weekly Recap

The most significant development this week was the passage of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" through both chambers of Congress. The Senate delivered a resounding victory by passing the transformative legislative package that locks in historic tax relief, delivers border security, reforms welfare, and funds critical infrastructure. House Speaker Mike Johnson confidently declared that Trump and GOP leaders notched enough votes to send the president's agenda to his desk before July 4. For America's farmers, this represents a historic win with a $66 billion increase in farm program spending over 10 years, as estimated by the Congressional Budget Office.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association praised the legislation for protecting family farmers and ranchers from a massive tax hike, increasing the Death Tax exemption, making the Section 199A tax deduction permanent, and funding foreign animal disease prevention programs. The American Soybean Association applauded the Senate for supporting comprehensive revisions to the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, improved safety nets for agriculture, and increased support for research and market expansion. Starting with the 2025 crop year, corn growers could see dramatically higher payments under the enhanced ARC and PLC programs, with automatic higher payment calculations that don't require farmers to change their coverage elections.

A critical development for livestock markets emerged as Mexico and the United States announced they would gradually reopen the U.S. border to cattle imports from Mexico beginning July 7, after U.S. agriculture officials suspended them in May over fears of the northward spread of screwworm. Secretary Rollins announced risk-based port re-openings for cattle, bison, and equines from Mexico in phases, beginning with Douglas, Arizona, which presents the lowest risk based upon geography and effective collaboration on animal health issues. This development will significantly impact cattle markets, as prices in Mexico for cattle were recently almost half the U.S. prices, and the news has sent both live and feeder cattle futures down as increasing cattle supplies are felt in the market. The extended livestock port shutdown disrupted a critical trade relationship between the U.S. and Mexico, affecting ranchers and livestock operations on both sides of the border.

Market Context

The ongoing market volatility continues stemming from the U.S.-Mexico border reopening, which has sent both live and feeder cattle futures down as increasing cattle supplies are felt in the market. Prices in Mexico for cattle were recently almost half the U.S. prices, creating substantial pressure on domestic markets as traders anticipate increased cross-border flow of replacement cattle.

The grain markets reflect growing uncertainty about global supply dynamics. Corn fell to 416.58 USd/BU on July 2, 2025, down 0.81% from the previous day and down 0.70% compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, soybeans rose to 1,054.53 USd/Bu on July 3, 2025, up 0.38% from the previous day but still 11.35% lower than a year ago.

Processing capacity concerns continue to weigh on livestock markets. The discount in deferred contracts is pricing in a plant closure, though no one knows what plant will close, the size of the plant, or when it will close. When a closure occurs, it will reduce the overcapacity that has subsidized feedlot margins at the expense of packer profitability.

Sources: White House Press Releases, AP News, USDA Press Releases, Reuters, Washington Post, The Ag Center Cattle Report

Regional Weather Outlook

"Weather data compiled from NOAA and regional sources as of July 6, 2025"

Midwest Plains
South Southwest
Pacific NW Mid-Atlantic & NE

MIDWEST

Sun: 88°F, Scattered thunderstorms
Mon: 91°F, Partly cloudy, isolated storms
Wed: 85°F, Partly cloudy
Fri: 92°F, Mostly sunny, hot
Note: Storm activity early week, building heat

PLAINS

Sun: 90°F, Isolated thunderstorms
Mon: 93°F, Partly cloudy
Wed: 92°F, Partly cloudy
Fri: 96°F, Sunny, hot
Note: Generally favorable with increasing heat

SOUTH

Sun: 91°F, Scattered thunderstorms
Mon: 89°F, Thunderstorms
Tue: 87°F, Scattered storms
Fri: 95°F, Mostly sunny, hot
Note: Active storm pattern early week, hot finish

PACIFIC NW

Sun: 75°F, Isolated thunderstorms
Mon: 78°F, Partly cloudy
Wed: 82°F, Mostly sunny
Fri: 87°F, Sunny and hot
Note: Excellent conditions, turning hot later

SOUTHWEST

Sun: 102°F, Partly cloudy, isolated storms (20%)
Mon: 98°F, Partly cloudy
Wed: 97°F, Mostly sunny
Fri: 104°F, Sunny, very hot
Note: Extreme heat developing, stress monitoring critical

MID-ATLANTIC & NE

Sun: 89°F, Scattered thunderstorms
Mon: 91°F, Partly cloudy, isolated storms
Tue: 88°F, Thunderstorms
Fri: 93°F, Mostly sunny, hot
Note: Heavy storm activity Tuesday, hot weekend ahead

Weather Impacts on American Agriculture

A stark regional divide is emerging across American agriculture this week, with moisture-laden systems bringing beneficial rains to drought-stressed areas while dangerous heat builds across major commodity-producing regions. The Midwest and South face a critical period as thunderstorms provide needed moisture during peak pollination season, but excessive rainfall threatens field operations and disease pressure. Meanwhile, the Southwest continues battling extreme temperatures exceeding 100°F that stress both crops and livestock, though recent cooling has provided temporary relief. Eastern regions must prepare for flooding risks as multiple storm systems are forecast to deliver 0.5-1.0 inches of rain across already saturated soils, while western drought conditions persist despite isolated precipitation chances.

This weather pattern mirrors historical cycles from the 1950s drought era and the extreme variability of the early 2000s, when regional precipitation disparities created significant market volatility during critical growing periods. Farmers are increasingly adopting through precision irrigation technologies, drought-resistant crop varieties, and flexible planting schedules that account for shifting precipitation patterns. Water-efficient technologies like drip irrigation and soil moisture monitoring are becoming standard practice, while regenerative agriculture techniques including cover crops and no-till methods help retain moisture and improve soil resilience. As climate variability intensifies, these adaptive strategies will prove essential for maintaining productivity across America's diverse agricultural regions.

Regional Market Prices

"Price trends across major commodities sourced: USDA-AMS, CME Group as of May 24, 2025"

Midwest Plains South
Southwest Pacific NW Mid-Atlantic & NE

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
Soft White Wheat: $5.45/bu
Corn: $4.17/bu

MIDWEST

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
Corn: $4.17/bu
Soybeans: $10.55/bu

PLAINS

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
HRW Wheat: $5.45/bu
Corn: $4.17/bu
Soybeans: $10.55/bu

SOUTH

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
Corn: $4.17/bu
Soybeans: $10.55/bu
Cotton: 58.46¢/lb

SOUTHWEST

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
HRW Wheat: $5.45/bu
Corn: $4.17/bu
Soybeans: $10.55/bu
Cotton: 58.46¢/lb

MID-ATLANTIC & NE

Feeder Steers: $310.43/cwt
Corn: $4.17/bu
Soybeans: $10.55/bu

FUTURES (JULY)

Live Cattle: $185.75 (+1.25)
Corn: $4.11 (-0.15)
Soybeans: $9.68 (-0.45)
Wheat: $5.25 (-0.12)
Cotton: 65.27¢ (+0.85¢)

Sources:

USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS)
Farm Futures
CME Group
X Posts: @HTSCommodities (July 3 CME Index: $311.83/cwt), @feedlotmagazine, @MidwestMarkets
NOAA Weather Prediction Center
National Weather Service
Weather Channel
USDA Economic Research Service (ERS)

Canada Thistle: What It's Trying to Tell You

Discover what Canada thistle reveals about your soil health and learn how rotational high stock density grazing can naturally control this persistent weed while improving pasture conditions.

Freedom for Farmers: Direct to Consumer Sales

Pastured Pigs Part 4: Micronutrient Management - The Missing Pieces

Master micronutrient management for pastured pigs. Learn vitamin, mineral, and essential fatty acid strategies that prevent 90% of health problems in outdoor pig production.

Thank you for reading this week's newsletter and helping us grow. For any criticism, questions or comments feel free to reach out to me at:
chris@farmtofork.life

Have a great week!

Iowa City, Iowa