United States Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) makes an appearance at Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph.

“I’m a lifelong Chiefs fan. I remember
Super Bowl I. I remember Super Bowl IV,” Marshall tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. “And
just a boyhood dream to come to camp some day and here it is, so excited to see
everybody.”

Marshall, a Republican, says he is
pleased with the start of President Trump’s second term.

“Well, I think that we’ve never seen such
a successful first six months of a presidency. That we’ve secured the border.
That we’ve rolled back regulation. That the price of gas and groceries are
coming down. Job market looks good,” according to Marshall. “Trillions of
dollars are going to be invested here in the next several years as well to grow
those jobs even more. Very proud of our big, beautiful bill.”

Marshall says he is pleased to see
President Trump move to shore up trade agreements with major trading partners,
such as the United Kingdom and the European Union. 

“EU is probably our second biggest trade
partner, overall, right now. And, basically, they’ve locked us out for years.
So, we’re unable to sell Kansas agriculture products, Kansas ethanol in EU
right now,” Marshall says. “So, we’re going to break down those non-tariff
barriers and it will be good for the world economy overall.”

He says a move to reach agreements in
southeast Asia could have a big impact.

“By getting agreements done with
Indonesia, which is the 4th largest country in the world right now,”
Marshall says. “Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines. So, we’re kind of
making a box around China and going to force them to the table as well.” 

Marshall says agriculture will benefit
from the recent agreements, though another industry will benefit a bit more.

“I think agriculture will have a
significant benefit, because it’s going from zero to something; probably a $25
billion trade deficit with the EU right now as well. But there are bigger
markets out there for our food as well,” Marshall says. “Probably the cars is
the big issue with the EU. We buy so many of their cars, but they block our
cars from going in there. The president removing tariffs going into the EU is
really going to open up that market.”

You can follow&nbsp;Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ

Sen. Marshall stops by Chiefs Training Camp, talks trade deals

St. Joseph School District cash reserves
have fallen below 20% as local and state revenues have sagged.

Assistant Superintendent of Business and
Operations, Robert Hedgecorth, reported to the Board of Education Monday night that
the reserve dipped to 10% at the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. Though
that is below the 20% threshold approved by the Board of Education, it remains
a healthy budget balance, according to Hedgecorth.

“What that really does, if you think
about it, it gives us about 2 ½ to 3 months reserves. If we received absolutely
no revenue at all, we’d be able to handle all of our expenses,” Hedgecorth says
during an appearance on KFEQmmunity.

Hedgecorth adds that cash reserve would
have looked much different if federal funding had come in before the budget
year closed out.

“If those amounts would have landed
before that June 30th deadline, we would have seen a different
reserve ratio than that 10.02% that was talked about (Monday) night,” according
to Hedgecorth.&nbsp; “It would have been a lot
closer to 16%.”

Even at 16%, though, the cash reserve
falls short of the district goal set by the St. Joseph Board of Education.

“We know we’re below our 20% board policy,”
Hedgecorth acknowledges. “We need to take a look at future years. And so, if we
have declining revenues, we also need to have declining expenses. We need to
take a good look at some efficiencies in our district and see where we can
become more efficient to ensure that our expenses are trending with our
revenues.”

Hedgecorth says state funding has fallen
short, because the state budget hasn’t met the revenue expectations of the
legislature. Fiscal Year 2025 federal funding should arrive in August or
September.

St. Joseph School District cash reserves fall short of 20% goal

KFEQ Morning Sports

KFEQ Morning News

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/noahgrabianski/">Noah Grabianski</a>

Cattle farms and feedlots in Missouri today are populated by cows that are a far cry from those that roamed pastures 80 or 90 years ago.

Cattle back then were referred to as “buckle cows” – named that way because they only went about as high as a rancher’s belt buckle. But in the 1950s, when cattle herd numbers were low, cattlemen began putting more emphasis on cows’ “frame size,” or their height.

In the past few decades, with improvements in genetic technology, farmers have been able to measure extremely specific qualities in their cattle. This has led to a shift from increasing the frame size of cattle to increasing the “performance,” or weight, of cattle. That means cattle aren’t getting taller, but heavier.

The U.S. cattle inventory&nbsp;<a href="https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-esmis/files/h702q636h/6108x003v/kk91h696g/catl0124.pdf" target="_blank">hit its lowest level in 73 years</a>&nbsp;in 2024,&nbsp;largely as a result of recent droughts. The solution isn’t as simple as just breeding more cows, because cattle producers have to balance the amount of cattle they hold back to reproduce, and the amount they sell off to feedyards to generate revenue.

Don Close, a senior animal protein analyst at agriculture publication Terrain Ag, said the industry has been shifting breeding practices to mitigate the recent cattle shortage.

“Being the lowest we’ve been since 1951, the industry has elected to make cattle bigger, to compensate in pounds what we’re losing in head count,” Close said.

Close estimated that the average live weight of U.S. cattle increases by about eight pounds a year. The carcass weight, or how much cattle weigh once the hide, bone and other inedible parts are removed, increases by about five pounds a year.

But there has been a particularly noticeable spike in the past decade or so, caused by incentives from meatpacking plants.

This trend can be seen through what’s known as the hot carcass weight discount, which is the payout reduction cattle producers receive when carcasses exceed a meatpacking plant’s maximum weight. As a result, producers try to get their cattle as close to that weight limit as possible without exceeding it.

Jamie Courter, the state beef genetics specialist at University of Missouri Extension, said that when she first started in the industry about 10 years ago, that weight limit was 1,000 pounds. It’s been creeping up ever since. The limit went up to 1,050 pounds, then 1,100, and now some plants have improved their technology enough to accept 1,200-pound carcasses.

“We keep pushing what we’re willing to accept, as far as size of feedyard steers, higher and higher,” Courter said. “The packers are incentivizing the feedyards and the commercial cattlemen to do so, and — right, wrong or indifferent — commercial cattlemen are going to chase that incentive because that impacts their bottom line.”

Higher cattle weights also have an effect on consumers down the line. Certain beef cuts, namely ribeye and loin, are getting too big to be easily packaged. Because the cows are bigger, these cuts are larger, meaning they have to be cut thinner and with more surface area than they used to be to maintain a consistent weight.

But Close said these high cattle weights are, in large part, a good thing for beef consumers.

“If we were to limit weights on the cattle, it would limit the total of beef production, limiting supply, that would drive price higher,” Close said. “So in a backwards kind of way, yes, it’s actually supporting … consumers, because it keeps more product available to the counter.”

Beef is getting more expensive, with the average price of ground beef hitting a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalbeefwire.com/beef-prices-soar-to-record-highs-in-june" target="_blank">record high of $6.12 per pound</a>&nbsp;in June. However, bigger cows also means better quality. Bigger size leads to higher fat content and better marbling. Close estimated that 82% to 84% of all beef is of choice or prime grade, which lines up with consumer tastes.

However, researchers and cattle producers have said the current trajectory of beef performance isn’t sustainable. Courter said it’s important to consider the economic factors of farming cattle when trying to breed for size.

“We can’t have 2,000-pound mature-weight cows, because those cows eat more, which means you need more acres to raise that cow in a year,” Courter said. “Which means, if you don’t buy more land, you have to decrease the number of cows you have, or you have to increase how much hay or corn or whatever you’re buying to sustain that 2,000-pound cow.”

Doug Frank, co-owner of the Frank/Hazelrigg Cattle Co., said that cattle performance is reaching a threshold. In recent years, this has led farmers to start analyzing other significant traits.

“Maintenance costs are going up, and maybe we’re past the point of the most efficiency there,” Frank said. “We’re probably at the limit of what our commercial customers have for resources, and we’re a lot more interested in other traits.”

Where farmers used to look towards breeding for weight, some are now beginning to place importance in feeding efficiency. Farmers are tracking relative feed intake, which measures how much weight a cow gains from a certain amount of feed. Those that need less food to gain weight are more profitable for farmers.

Cattle performance may be starting to even out, but Frank highlighted the industry’s ability to continue delivering product, even during a downturn in inventory.

“Beef is not cheap today, but … we’ve increased production pretty substantially in the U.S. beef industry,” Frank said, “and we’ve done it with the lowest cow numbers that we’ve had in (decades).”

This story originally appeared in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.missouribusinessalert.com/" target="_blank">Missouri&nbsp;Business&nbsp;Alert</a>, a digital newsroom covering&nbsp;businessand the economy in&nbsp;Missouri.

Thinning herd, heavier cattle reshape Missouri’s beef supply chain

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect on sex crime allegations.

Police began an investigation focusing on an incident that occurred at the Walmart Store located at 1920 U.S.73 in Atchison on the afternoon of Thursday, July 24, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

A 17-year-old girl was shopping in the store when she was approached by a man who attempted to solicit her for illicit sexual activity. She was able to walk away from the suspect and quickly went to store employees for safety and reported the incident. 

The suspect, later identified as 51-year-old David Holmgren of Weston, Missouri, left the store. 

An investigation led police detectives to Holmgren. Just before 5:30p.m. Tuesday, police arrested Holmgren on requested charges of commercial sexual exploitation of a child. He turned himself in at Police headquarters, according to Wilson.

Police: Mo. man solicited teen for sex while in Walmart

It was a lighter day at practice for the Kansas City Chiefs after three consecutive days of padded practices in the heat, with cooler temperatures today as well. 

Back at full strength in this year's camp has been defensive end Charles Omenihu.  Injuries have limited Omenihu during his time with the Chiefs, but for the first time in Kansas City, he'll be on the field in week one. 

For Omenihu, he says it will be exciting to be able to be on the field week one.

"It is going to be the first time I play in Week 1 since my fourth year in the league. So, I have definitely, these last two years have understood the fact of not taking things for granted. Understood the fact that you got to cherish everything in this game. Because I have been on the end where you’ve had to sit and wait for different reasons," Omenihu tells reporters. "So, I’ll be excited, I’ll be geeked (and) I’ll be ready to rock and ready to go help us get a win.”

Omenihu had just one sack in six games for the Chiefs last year, first hitting the field in week 13. 

With a very young receiving group, when asked who the leader in that room is, Head Coach Andy Reid quickly said it was ninth year receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. 

Smith-Schuster says that's a responsiblility he does not take lightly

"We’ve got a bunch of young guys in the room, different ages; and you know, for me it’s a big responsibility,"  Smith-Schuster says. "I take full control. I think I lead by, you know, not just by my words, but by my actions. And, you know, like I said there’s a lot of guys, a lot of experience, different ages, and everyone’s coachable, so, you know, I’m glad to take (on) that responsibility.”

After returning to practice yesterday (Tues), Xavier Worthy was out of practice today, and it was reported he is in concussion protocol, putting the Chiefs down three receivers with injuries to Skyy Moore and Hollywood Brown

The Chiefs are getting a little break after a tough stretch of practices, with three straight days of padded practices in pretty extreme heats. 

Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says he felt like the team held up pretty well through that tough stretch

"What will be really interesting to me, you know, we had the three hard days, we had today was 10-10-10 – we get the day off. The tough day to come back is the next one, you know after you’ve had the day off so I’m looking for them – if we can ramp it up on that day, I’ll be pretty happy," Spagnuolo says.

The “10-10-10” specifically refers to the team cycling through 10 offensive plays, 10 defensive plays and 10 minutes of special teams work during the duration of the practice session. 

The Chiefs practiced for an hour and a half.  They are off tomorrow and will practice again on Friday at 9:15.

You can follow Matt on X @KfeqMatt.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Chiefs get relief from heat with lighter practice on Wednesday

UPDATED WITH IDENTITY AND MORE INFORMATION

A young
motorcyclist died, another suffered injuries in a multi-motorcycle crash at
North Belt and Blackwell in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The St. Joseph
Police Department identifies the person killed in the crash as 23-year-old
Tristian Plumley of St. Joseph.

St. Joseph police
officers responded to the scene shortly before two o’clock and found the two
individuals. The other subject, not identified by police, was taken for medical
treatment. Plumley was rushed to the hospital, but died of his injuries.

Initial reports
indicated a third motorcyclist might have been involved in the wreck, but fled
the scene. The St. Joseph Police Department released a photo and asked anyone
with information to contact the department.

The Tips Hotline
at (816) 238-TIPS or the SJPD Traffic Unit at (816) 271-4882.

UPDATE:&nbsp; St. Joseph police report the 3rd motorcyclist has been identified.

Young motorcyclist dies in early morning St. Joseph wreck (UPDATED)

That is the decision before the Kansas
City Chiefs as executives with the Chiefs consider proposals from both Missouri
and Kansas to offset the cost of either renovating Arrowhead Stadium or
building a new stadium.

Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt, says the team has
made a lot of progress evaluating two really good options.

“I don't want to get into how
close we are making a decision, because I've found over time with stadium
situations, that until they're done, they're not done,” Hunt tells reporters
during his visit to Chiefs Training Camp in St. Joseph. “There's a lot of work,
a lot of moving parts, and we're working through those. Certainly, I would say
we feel an urgency to bringing the process to a conclusion. But that doesn't
mean I can will it to happen in any specified period of time.”

Hunt calls the two offers from the two
states two very good options.

Hunt says the Kansas offer would provide
financing needed to build a new stadium.

“And our priority on the
Missouri side has been a renovation of GEHA Field at Arrowhead,” Hunt says. “So,
those are the two primary options.”

Hunt acknowledges there is an emotional
pull toward Arrowhead.

“I think anybody who’s been
coming to Chiefs games for decades understands what a special stadium GEHA
Field at Arrowhead is,” Hunt says. “And you know, it's fun being here at
training camp and getting to interact with our fans. And I certainly hear from
them in terms of their thoughts. And many of them have grown up going to games
with their dad, their mother, their family, and so it's a very special place
for them. So that'll be part of the calculus for sure.”

Hunt says the team has a sense of urgency,
because the Arrowhead lease expires in the Spring of 2031 and it takes 4 ½ to 5
years to complete a stadium project.

“So, it's important for us to
be able to make a decision somewhat in the in the near term to be able to be on
schedule to have the renovated or new building open in ’31.”

Still, Hunt says the Chiefs must make a
decision that is best for the team’s fans and the organization’s future. Hunt
says the team is intent on getting it right.

Chiefs CEO, Clark Hunt, sees two good options for team's future home

ATCHISON COUNTY, Kan. —Law enforcement are investigating an injury accident that occurred at&nbsp;5p.m. on Tuesday in Atchison.

Isaiah Williams, 24, Atchison, was riding his electric scooter eastbound in the 1800 block Main Street in Atchison, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

Williams lost control of the scooter and crashed. There were no other vehicles involved.&nbsp; A private vehicle transported Williams to Amberwell Hospital&nbsp; for treatment of injuries. Police were then notified and an investigation followed.

Police: Kansas man injured in electric scooter crash

Listen to the markets by clicking <a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/30143526/30001-markets-230pm.wav">HERE</a>.

September corn closed up 2 1/2 cents and December corn was up 1 1/4 cents. September soybeans closed down 13 3/4 cents and November soybeans were down 13 3/4 cents. September KC wheat closed up 3 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 6 cents, September MIAX Minneapolis wheat was down 1/4 cents.

The U.S. Dollar Index is up 0.47 at 99.36. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 26.0 points at 44,842.0. August gold is down $30.60 at $3,293.40, September silver is down $0.72 at $37.57 and September copper is down $1.0085. September crude oil is up $0.80 at $70.01, September ultra-low sulfur diesel is down $0.0383, September RBOB gasoline is up $0.0257 and September natural gas is down $0.098.

September corn futures closed up 2 1/2 cents on Wednesday to $3.91 3/4. December futures were up 1 1/4 cents to $4.12 1/4. The corn market enjoyed a day of modest short-covering ahead of month end, with no significantly bullish news spurring on buyers, with the approach to contract lows likely triggering some buy orders along the way.

In Wednesday morning's Petroleum Status report, the EIA pegged ethanol production in the U.S. for last week at 1.096 million barrels per day (bpd), an increase of 18,000 bpd from the previous week, but slightly lower than the same week in 2024. As of Wednesday's report, five weeks and change remain in the corn marketing year. In South American news, Brazil's second corn crop is about two-thirds harvested, while Argentina's harvest was 86% complete as of last week, according to the International Grains Council. U.S. corn export offers remain very competitive on the world stage.

In corn technicals, December futures found buying support Wednesday after trading to within 2 cents of the contract low Tuesday. For now, the unchanged fundamental outlook, featuring many private estimates for a 2025 corn yield well above trend, leaves technical support as really the only incentive for buyers in the marketplace. The bullish target in the near to medium term is the 20-day moving average near $4.20. A break in December futures below support near $4.10 would set $4.00 as the immediate bearish target.

The DTN National Corn Index finished Tuesday at $3.74. Wednesday's futures close and implied corn basis of 15 cents under the September board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $3.76.

September soybeans dropped another 13 3/4 cents to $9.75 3/4 on Wednesday, while November futures were also under heavy pressure, falling 13 3/4 cents to $9.95 3/4. November soybeans fell for the seventh time in the past eight sessions, a route which has added up to over 35 cents of lost value on the contract. It sounds like a broken record, but for now traders are struggling to look beyond the weather with the 15-day outlook now taking us to mid-August with few perceived issues for soybean pod filling. However, storms are always a threat this time of year and will need to be monitored as events arise.

A disappointing feature of the soybean selloff through the last month has been the breakaway from soybean oil in price action. Soybean oil futures continue to grind to the highest prices seen since 2023, but the bullish influence over the whole soybean market has drastically faded over the past month as traders for now don't see the large increase in soybean crush potential through 2025-26 as being enough to offset potentially record yields and shaky export demand if China remains absent.

In soybean technicals, it's safe to say November soybeans posted their most bearish close in months on Wednesday, closing below $10.00 for the first time since April 9, which came immediately following the April 2 reciprocal tariff announcement. If the market can't gain a footing back above $10.00 support, the early April low in the mid $9.70s seems to be the likely bearish target. It will be important to see if soybeans can find any bargain buyers again at this level as was the case in mid-July.

The DTN National Soybean Index finished Tuesday at $9.54. Wednesday's futures close and implied soybean basis of 56 cents under the November board would indicate the index on Wednesday afternoon to be near $9.40.

September Kansas City futures rose 3 1/2 cents on Wednesday to $5.22. Meanwhile, Chicago and Minneapolis futures were lower, with the latter trading to a sixth consecutive lower session and 12 lower out of the past 14.

In their weekly report, the International Grains Council reported Russian wheat harvest at 37% complete, with production thus far roughly 22% lower than in 2024, although yields are expected to improve as harvest moves northward. Meanwhile, a strong recovery in EU crops continues to weigh on world prices, with futures traders seeing little need to price any supply risks into markets.

In wheat technicals, September KC futures again came within a penny of contract lows early Wednesday but mounted a reversal to reclaim support at $5.20 which has been impressive in holding hard red prices through July. The bullish objective is the 20-day moving average at $5.26 1/2 which has been equally stubborn in keeping prices down since mid-June. $5.00 remains the ultimate bearish target on a sustained break below aforementioned $5.20 support.

Commodity markets daily recap

A series of new trade deals between the United States and countries around the world could directly benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. Groups like the American Farm Bureau support the agreements, noting that strong and enduring agreements help connect U.S. farmers and ranchers with global markets. The U.S. Grains Council also applauded the trade deals, including the one between the U.S. and the EU.  

USGC President and CEO Ryan LeGrand said, “This deal promises to build upon long-established trade with our eighth-largest grains-in-all-forms trading partner, worth more than $1 billion in the 2023-2024 marketing year and our fourth-largest ethanol trading partner.”  The Renewable Fuels Association said the deal comes at a good time as corn growers prepare for what is looking like a record harvest. RFA President Geoff Cooper said, “We stand ready to produce larger volumes of cleaner-burning ethanol and valuable co-products for our customers around the world.”

Ag groups support new trade deals

For the first time since July and August of 2023, the Rural Mainstreet Index, a survey of bankers in areas that rely on agriculture, registered two consecutive months of above growth-neutral readings. It’s the highest level for the RMI since July 2023. Bankers reported very low farm loan delinquency rates over the past six months. Unfortunately, one in four farmers is expected to experience negative income in 2025. 

For the 13th time in the past 14 months, farmland prices sank below growth neutral. Farm equipment sales dropped below growth neutral for the 22nd straight month. Regional exports of agricultural goods and livestock for the first four months of 2025, compared to the same period last year, fell from $4.5 billion in 2024 to $3.7 billion in 2025, for a decline of 18.5 percent. Mexico was the top destination for regional ag exports, accounting for more than 55 percent of total exports.  

Rural Mainstreet Index expands in July

September corn closed down 4 1/2 cents and December corn was down 3 cents. August soybeans closed down 7 cents and November soybeans were down 2 cents. September KC wheat closed down 7 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was down 8 3/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 4 cents.

Prices slipped further Tuesday into 2025 lows and in some instances contract lows as another round of mixed crop ratings from USDA on Monday gave bearish traders little incentive to change their current market bias. Market news for Tuesday was slim, but it was reported in the early afternoon that U.S. and Chinese officials had agreed in principle to extend the trade truce which had been set to expire on Aug. 12, with later reports indicating that President Trump would give final approval on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Lutnick said Tuesday that Friday's tariff deadline for other countries is a firm cutoff before reciprocal tariffs go back into place. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar has surged through the first two days of the week to its highest level in over a month on the weekend trade deal with the European Union. Lastly, investors and traders alike will tune in Wednesday for the conclusion of the July FOMC meeting in which the Fed is widely expected to hold interest rates despite growing tension between the Trump Administration and Fed Chair Jerome Powell.

Although traders were cautious at the day's initial start, the live cattle complex got back to trading higher after shaking the morning's initial jitters. Today's slight uptick, although it still is less than a dollar's advancement, is enough of a push to lead many of the nearby contracts to new contract highs yet again. No business has developed yet in the fed cash cattle market, and it isn't expected to any time soon, as feedlot managers and packers are likely to go round again this week as both parties want starkly different outcomes for the market. Asking prices are noted in the South at $235 plus, but are still not established yet in the North.

Per the norm here lately, the feeder cattle complex was again rocking and rolling into the day's closing bell as the sky truly remains the limit for the feeder cattle complex right now. Like the live cattle complex, today's advance scores new all-time highs in most of the nearby contracts once again. And regarding demand in the countryside, buyers remain so active in the market that Monday's CME feeder cattle index closed at $329.93.

With cash prices and pork cutouts values lower, it doesn't surprise many that the lean hog complex traded lower. The weakness in the market's fundamentals, mixed with the continued pressure being seen in the futures complex, has gravely affected the complex today as the contracts were all trading $1.00 to $2.00 lower.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/29154319/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

The July Cattle on Feed Report offered little relief to customers paying higher prices for beef. That’s despite the cycle of herd liquidation that seems to be slowly ending. There were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1, the lowest mid-year number of cattle since 1973. The USDA also said the number of animals placed in feedlots for weight gain before being sent to packers plunged to its lowest level since 2017. 

Reports show a severe shortage in the world’s largest beef-producing country has sent cattle costs soaring, wiping out billions in profits for packers and driving record-high beef prices in U.S. grocery stores. Dr. Derrell Peel at Oklahoma State University says the latest USDA numbers offer little indication of herd rebuilding or, at least, it’s not very aggressive so far. “The number of heifers in feedlots remained mostly stable.” 

Smallest U.S. cattle herd since 1973

Numerous stakeholders, like farmers, Extension Services, researchers, and policymakers, all rely on the data that USDA has collected for more than 150 years. The data is collected through agencies and programs like the National Agricultural Statistics Service and the Economic Research Service. Decreasing responses to USDA’s farmer surveys are beginning to put the integrity of the data at risk. One of the biggest challenges to getting a good survey response is timing. Unfortunately, many survey collection periods overlap with farmers’ busiest times.

For example, leading up to the June 30 Planted Acreage Report, NASS contacted almost 92,000 farmers during a time that overlaps with the end of planting and spraying seasons for many row crop farmers. A Farm Bureau Market Intel page says USDA should look to examine ways to increase participation and reliability without imposing more burdens on the already too busy growers whom the data is designed to serve. 

Falling farmer responses to surveys are a growing problem

September corn closed down 5 3/4 cents and December corn was down 5 cents. August soybeans closed down 10 cents and November soybeans were down 9 1/2 cents. September KC wheat closed down 1/2 cents, September Chicago wheat was up 1/4 cents, September Minneapolis wheat was down 3 1/4 cents.

Row-crop markets kept with the common theme for Monday sessions through the growing season thus far with another sharp move lower as traders expect another solid round of crop ratings from USDA later Monday afternoon and are seeing no reason currently to not expect record-setting yields this fall given the weather through the growing season thus far. Outside markets were mostly of positive influence for Monday, although weather-focused ag traders appeared to pay little mind. Equities were higher on the trade deal announcement over the weekend between the U.S. and European Union. Meanwhile, energy markets were mostly higher after President Trump announced he would tighten the window for a ceasefire in the Russia/Ukraine war before Russia would face possible heightened sanctions from the U.S.

Following the slew of positive developments late last week, the live cattle complex hasn't shied away from trading higher as the market has seen a plethora of fundamental support gush into the marketplace. Whether that be last week's bullish Cattle on Feed report, or the noting on the mid-year Cattle Inventory report that no signs of herd build back have started yet, or the steady to $2.00 higher in the fed cash cattle market, or the unseasonal uptick in boxed beef prices. There are almost too many bullish factors currently playing in the marketplace to keep trade off.

After fully evaluating the market's triumphant success last week, it's almost as if traders noted the positive developments and merely said, "say less," as they shot the feeder cattle contracts higher. Once again today, the market's higher push in the futures complex scored another new contract high for many of the nearby contracts.

Following last week's choppy trade, the lean hog complex again skittered sideways into Monday's closing bell. It will be imperative that demand remains strong this week if traders are going to be successfully able to advance the contracts. Packers could be slightly less aggressive in this week's cash market as they bought a sizeable volume last week.

<a href="https://dehayf5mhw1h7.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/356/2025/07/28145010/web-closing-markets.mp3">Click HERE for audio</a>

USDA’s latest grain export sales report, covering the week through July 17, held mixed but mostly solid results for traders to digest. Corn volume led the way once more, staying on the higher end of analyst estimates. Wheat sales improved 50% from the prior four-week average, besting all trade guesses in the process and hitting a “marathon-esque” number. 

Soybean sales struggled, in contrast, after old-crop sales slumped 41% lower week-over-week. Corn exports found 54 million bushels in combined old and new crop sales last week. Old crop sales eased 2% lower week-over-week, while total sales were on the higher end of analyst estimates, which ranged between 19 million and 63 million bushels. Cumulative sales for the 2024-25 marketing year remain noticeably above last year’s pace after reaching 2.37 billion bushels.

Corn sales strong last week, soybean sales struggled

Critics are decrying the reorganization plan for USDA announced last week by Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins.  In a written statement, Amy Klobuchar, the Democratic ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, condemned the plan as a “half-baked proposal” and called for USDA officials to appear before Congress. “A reorganization of this scale will impact USDA’s ability to provide critical services to Americans and undermine the agency’s trusted expertise that farmers and families count on … we must have an immediate hearing before more damage is done.”

Rebecca Wolf, senior policy analyst at Food &amp; Water Watch Senior Food, a non-profit research and advocacy group, said, “(The) move further guts the government’s ability to protect public health, the environment and food safety. The real-world consequences will be severe, directly affecting people’s lives.” The reorganization is at least partly a cost-cutting measure, according to Rollins, and the relocated staff could see significant salary reductions due to lower rates paid outside the capital due to differences in the cost of living.

USDA to cut salaries and relocate staff

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://missouriindependent.com/author/jason-hancock/">Jason Hancock</a> <a href="https://missouriindependent.com/briefs/missouri-senate-committee-advances-bill-to-ban-texting-while-driving/">Missouri Independent</a>

The possibility of a “whites-only” organization from Arkansas expanding into Missouri has&nbsp;inspired bipartisan outrage from state lawmakers and local officials who decry the group as&nbsp;racist and antisemitic.&nbsp;

The private membership association, called Return to the Land, owns 160 acres in northeast Arkansas, according to its website. Jews and non-whites are explicitly banned from membership.&nbsp;

The group’s leader recently said it is exploring the idea of expanding north and building a new enclave in the Springfield area.&nbsp;

“We have the God-given right to form communities according to whatever values we hold dear,” Eric Orwoll, co-founder of Return to the Land, said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/Aarvoll_/status/1949540130198638723" target="_blank">recent social media post</a>, “and the government does not have the right to tell free American citizens what values they have to live according to in their own private lives.”

The idea of a segregated community coming to southwest Missouri was greeted with scorn by both Democratic and Republican legislative leaders from the area.&nbsp;

“Racism in any form is evil and reprehensible,” said House Majority Leader Alex Riley, a Springfield Republican. “Groups engaging in racist conduct are not welcome in Springfield.”

State Rep. Betsy Fogle, a Springfield Democrat, said history has been “very clear on what happens when you stay silent as groups discriminate based on race and discriminate based on whether or not someone is of the Jewish faith. I cannot believe that in 2025 we are retreading this ground.”

In an emailed statement, a spokesperson for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey said racial discrimination “has no place in Missouri.”

“Attorney General Bailey is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of all citizens,” the statement said. “The landmark Supreme Court case Shelley v. Kraemer, which originated in St. Louis, made clear that government cannot enforce racially discriminatory housing practices, and Missouri will not tolerate efforts to revive them.”

The Springfield City Council and City Manager David Cameron&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/100064468883501/posts/pfbid02SmVM27qBRFuJSr1wFZvhXBduySM9En7AabQsrdX7Th5gg7cLpmiHt4zeYqhLGpGXl/?app=fbl" target="_blank">issued a joint statement this week</a>&nbsp;declaring that “there is no place in Springfield, or anywhere, for such a divisive and discriminatory vision.”

“While it is improbable that such a project could legally or practically occur within city limits, silence is not an option,” the statement said. “As a regional leader, we will not stand idly by in the face of attempts to revive outdated, harmful ideologies.”

On its website, Return to the Land its mission is to “separate ourselves from a failing modern society, and we will make positive cultural changes in ourselves and in our ancestral communities.”

It also includes a disclaimer that the group does not engage in the sale or rental of real estate.

Orwoll responded to criticism from Springfield elected officials in his social media post, denying that excluding people of color and Jews should be considered racist.&nbsp;

“We are not a hate group,” he said. “We have never expressed hate towards any ethnic group, racial group or religious group.”

He took umbrage with Fogle calling the group racist, saying: “She wants to call us racists because we prefer being among our own people.”

“It’s not a supremacist group. It’s not a hate group. It’s not even a white nationalist group,” he said. “We are white identitarians. We value our identity and want to preserve it. That’s not hate. That is love for your own people.”

Fogle, who was among the first public officials to condemn Return to the Land’s possible expansion to Missouri, said she has been inundated with “pretty horrific messages and pretty horrific responses” on social media.&nbsp;

But she said she has no intention of being silent.&nbsp;

“It’s my job to make sure I’m using my platform to communicate that there’s no place in Springfield, no place in Missouri, no place in this country for a group who is intentionally leaving behind people who have a different skin color or intentionally leaving behind people of the Jewish faith,” she said. “And I would expect every elected official at every level to use their platform to see the same things.”

Across the state line, the group also drew the ire of Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin.&nbsp;

The Republican announced his office would open an investigation of the group to ensure its activities didn’t violate state or federal law. That probe, Griffin said in an email to The Independent, has not turned up any illegal activity.&nbsp;

“Racism has no place in a free society,” he said, “but from a legal perspective, we have not seen anything that would indicate any state or federal laws have been broken.”

This story was updated after publication with a quote from the Missouri Attorney General’s Office.&nbsp;

‘Whites-only’ group draws bipartisan rebuke over potential move to Missouri 

&nbsp;JACKSON COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating two suspects on multiple allegations after a late-night traffic stop.

Around midnight July 27, a Sheriff’s Deputy conducted a traffic stop on U.S. 75 Highway near Columbine Drive on a 2009 Chevy Traverse for multiple alleged traffic infractions, according to Sheriff Tim Morse.

 The traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drug contraband.  The driver, Darrell Wayne Ralls, 65, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a stolen firearm and criminal use of weapons; possession of firearm by person addicted to or use controlled substance. 

 The passenger, Heather Michelle Ralls, 52, of Topeka was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail on requested charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of a hallucinogenic drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sheriff: Kan. couple caught with meth, stolen firearm

JACKSON COUNTY, Mo. —One person died in an accident just before 4:30p.m. Wednesday in Jackson County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a 2010 Toyota Scion driven by a 55-year-old Blue Springs woman was eastbound on Interstate 70 near Oak Grove. The vehicle struck an eastbound 2022 Dodge Ram driven by a 58-year-old Mexico, Missouri, woman.&nbsp; After impact the Toyota traveled off the road, overturned and the driver was ejected.&nbsp; She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Central Jackson County EMS transported two 15-year-old girls in the Toyota to Centerpoint Medical Center.&nbsp; There were no other injuries. The occupants of the Toyota were not wearing seat belts, according to the MSHP. The Patrol no longer releases names of accident victims.

Mo. woman killed, teen passengers injured after I-70 crash

NEOSHO COUNTY&nbsp;–The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Neosho County Sherriff’s Office arrested an Erie, Kansas man for alleged child sex crimes, according to a media release from the KBI.

Just after 7:30a.m. on Wednesday, KBI agents and the Neosho County Sheriff’s Office arrested 42-year-old registered sex offender Peter Hawkinson, of Erie.

 Hawkinson was arrested on requested charges that include 24 counts of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of violating Kansas offender registration after a search warrant was conducted at 22030 Ottawa Road in Erie.

The KBI Child Victims Unit began investigating after a cyber-tip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) in May.

Hawkinson has been listed as a Registered Sex Offender since April of 2016 for two aggravated indecent solicitation of a child convictions, according to the Kansas Dept. of Corrections.

Following the arrest, Hawkinson was booked into the Neosho County Jail.&nbsp;

&nbsp;The case is expected to be prosecuted by the Neosho County Attorney’s Office.

Kan. sex offender accused of new child sex crimes

WYANDOTTE COUNTY —Law enforcement have a suspect in custody after a 7-hour standoff.

Just before 2a.m. Wednesday, police responded to a disturbance in the 1100 Block of Central Avenue in Kansas City, Kansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; Police arrived and the victims reported a suspect fired a gun at them as they were walking their dog down the sidewalk.

The suspect then ran back into the building and barricaded himself in his apartment when officers attempted to talk to him. Just before 9a.m. Wednesday, police took him into custody. Police have not released his name or possible charges.

7-hour Kan. standoff after shooting at victim walking a dog

LOWELL, Ark. — Special Agents with the Arkansas State Police (ASP) have arrested James Andrew McGann, 28, of Springdale, in connection to a&nbsp;double homicide that occurred on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Devil’s Den State Park, according to a media release from the agency.

McGann was taken into custody at 4:57 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at a business in Springdale. He was charged with two counts of Capital Murder.

Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were fatally attacked while hiking with their two daughters. The girls, who are 7 and 9, were not injured and are safe with family members.

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released the following: “No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend’s crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State. I am so proud of the Arkansas State Police, Park Rangers, local law enforcement, and others who have worked nonstop since last weekend to&nbsp;capture this suspect. I ask that Arkansans lift up prayers of thanks for the brave men and women of law enforcement – and offer prayers of condolence to the victims of this horrific crime. Let there be no mistake&nbsp;– we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice.”

ASP Col. Mike Hagar added, “I’m extremely grateful for the long hours and dedication that our Agents put forward in bringing justice to this family. The collaboration between State Police, other state and local law enforcement agencies, and our federal partners has been second to none. Because of their hard work and investigative skill, we were able to take a monster off the streets, and bring relief to those two precious girls, and the rest of our citizens.”Additional details will be released as they become available.

Suspect arrested in killings of couple hiking with daughters in Arkansas

TOPEKA — Kansas officials stood firm against a July 30 deadline set by the federal government to turn over the personal data of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients.

In a press release Wednesday afternoon, the Department for Children and Families said releasing the requested data could open DCF to liability, depending on the outcome of a lawsuit filed by multiple states.

This is the<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/2025/05/22/kansas-denies-usda-request-for-personal-data-of-residents-receiving-food-assistance/">&nbsp;second time Kansas has refused</a>&nbsp;to turn over data requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;

The lawsuit, in which Kansas is not a party, asks the courts to stop the USDA from forcing states to turn over the data, the press release said.&nbsp;

The data includes sensitive personal information about Kansans who lived in households that applied for or received SNAP benefits from Jan. 1, 2020, to July 30, 2025. It includes Social Security numbers, dates of birth and addresses, as well as retailer and business data documenting SNAP usage, the press release said.&nbsp;

“The purpose of the USDA demand is to create a federal database of SNAP participant information that may be disclosed to other federal, state and local agencies,” the release said.

In a letter to Gina Brand, USDA senior policy advisor for integrity, Kansas DCF Secretary Laura Howard said the USDA’s plan to share the data with other agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the law was part of the reason she would not turn over the data until the lawsuit is resolved.&nbsp;

“The suit argues that the demands for state-held SNAP data is contrary to statute and the Constitution,” Howard said. “Due to the pending litigation, we are forced to deny the USDA’s demand for data at this time. Doing the opposite will place KDCF in a position of potential liability in the event a court finds that the USDA’s demand violates federal law.”

In addition, Howard said the process to gather the requested data would require “significant” time, manpower and expense, and the short July 30 deadline was unreasonable.&nbsp;

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