Gordon Merritt Meacham

Quoting his own words, Gordon Merritt Meacham "was born the last day of summer in 1922" near Lapwai, Idaho. Being the fifth child in the family of Sylvia (Doak) and Merritt Meacham, he joined three brothers: Hulburd/Harry, George, and Howard/Bud; and one sister, Irma/Meachie See. Two more brothers, David and Gene, later completed the Meacham clan of nine. Gordon, as well as his siblings, spent the majority of his growing up years being that of a farmer's son. Growing grain and hay, as well as tending chickens, pigs, cattle and horses filled his daily life; skills which would later prove useful in his own adult life. When the daily chores were done, school work and lessons needed finishing. However, in the summer with school out, the Meacham children would often ride their horses, racing against the neighbors' horses, or visit the nearby strawberry and/or melon patches for delicious after supper snacks.

Adams County Fair becomes petting zoo

OTHELLO — Several youth found a hang-out spot in the animal barns at the Adams County Fair amongst hundreds of housed animals Wednesday.

Ag markets moved mostly lower again Wednesday morning

Corn futures resumed their post-report decline Wednesday morning. Tuesday’s USDA reports implied record U.S. corn yield and harvest totals this fall. Futures reacted poorly to the news and couldn’t sustain overnight efforts to stabilize. Indeed, early morning announcements of fresh export sales also failed to push prices higher. Traders think the USDA forecasts are too low. September corn dipped 1.75 cents to $3.5675/bushel late Wednesday morning, while December lost 1.25 to $3.6775.

Corn was the exception to the bearish ag market rule Tuesday

Corn futures bounced on Tuesday’s production data. Today’s USDA Crop Production report stated the forthcoming corn crop at 14.032 billion bushels, which fell moderately below the average of analyst estimates. Global carryout on the WASDE report also fell short of expectations, thereby causing corn futures to edge upward by the end of the day. September corn settled 1.75 cents higher at $3.585/bushel Tuesday, while December crept up 0.75 to $3.69.

Ag markets flailed around with little net movement Friday morning

Corn futures began Friday on a firm note. The annual USDA report on farmer enrollment in subsidy programs was published early this morning. They enrolled 83.322 million acres of corn, with 1.54 million classified as ‘prevent planted.’ Nearby futures rose modestly in response, since the indicated acreage totals seemed surprisingly small. September corn gained 4.0 cents to $3.66/bushel around midsession Friday, while December climbed 4.5 to $3.78.

Ag markets suffered a general divergence Wednesday

Corn futures fluctuated around unchanged levels Wednesday. The corn market followed soybeans lower Tuesday night as improved weather forecasts weighed on prices. Ongoing U.S. dollar gains weren’t helpful either. However, news of a sizeable wheat sale to Nigeria boosted those markets, which in turn appeared to keep yellow grain prices stable through the end of the day. September corn settled up 0.25 cent at $3.6175/bushel Wednesday, while December rose 0.5 cent to $3.715.

Soy futures continued boosting crop prices Wednesday morning

The soy complex continues pulling crop prices higher. The corn harvest may have been slightly delayed by the latest Corn Belt weather system, but there’s little doubt it’s advancing rapidly. Nevertheless, CBOT futures are rising again today as talk of torrid soy demand sends that complex higher (and pulls the other crop markets upward in concert). December corn futures rose 3.75 cents to $3.6825/bushel late Wednesday morning, while May added 3.5 to $3.9025.

Ag markets turned mostly lower Tuesday morning

Crop futures couldn’t sustain early gains. The Farm Service Agency released its updated numbers concerning acreage enrolled in U.S. crop insurance programs Monday night. It boosted corn acreage and prevent planted acres from its August estimates. Futures rallied in response overnight, but have subsequently turned lower. December corn futures sagged 2.5 cents to $3.405/bushel late Tuesday morning, while May lost 3.0 to $3.605.

Ag markets ended Wednesday in decidedly mixed fashion

Corn futures posted a late-Wednesday comeback. Tuesday’s USDA reports implied record U.S. corn yield and harvest totals this fall, which weighed on CBOT futures Tuesday and again Wednesday. However, news of sizeable export sales boosted prices early today. Futures rallied from lower levels later in the day. September corn closed 0.5 cent lower at $3.58/bushel Wednesday, while December gained 0.75 to $3.6975.

Ag markets ended the day mostly lower

Led by the front-month contract, corn futures were pressured by profit selling actions Monday. Fundamentally, record production and flat export demand weighed on the corn market. Weekly corn export inspections were lower than trade expectations. USDA is expected to show US harvest progress at 94% complete in its last Crop Progress report. Weakening economic indicators for Japan, Europe and China added additional pressure. December corn futures lost 5.25 cent to close at $3.675/bushel Monday, while May was down 5.00 cents to $3.8925.

Ag markets moved mostly lower Monday

Reduced frost risk undercut the crop markets Monday. The lack of action in the Black Sea region probably depressed the grain markets today, but the early revision to the weather forecast seems more important at this point. That is, the anticipated freeze line on the weekend weather forecasts moved northward, thereby reducing the potential damage to the corn and soybean crops. December corn futures fell 7.75 cents to $3.4825/bushel at their Monday close, while May lost 7.25 to $3.695.

Ag markets moved mostly higher Monday morning

The crop markets started the week strongly. Although the weather remains conducive to huge fall crops, crop futures bounced in Sunday night/Monday morning action. That seemingly reflected ideas that recent losses were overdone. The weekly Export Inspections report also indicated a strong corn sales total, which apparently offered additional support. September corn bounced 3.0 cents to $3.555/bushel by late Monday morning, while December gained 3.5 cents to $3.6575.

Financial markets affected commodity futures Tuesday morning

Big equity losses are weighing on the ag markets. The weekly USDA Crop Progress indicated the corn harvest was farther along than expected, which weighed on CBOT futures in early trading. However, today’s sustained weakness probably represents a commodity reaction to big early losses in the equity markets, since those imply a weak demand outlook. December corn futures dipped 3.75 cents to $3.5325/bushel late Wednesday morning, while May slumped 4.25 cents to $3.7475.

Surging soy prices sparked a broad crop-market advance Wednesday

The soy complex continued pulling crop prices higher Wednesday. The corn harvest may have been slightly delayed by the latest Corn Belt weather system, but there’s little doubt it’s advancing rapidly. Nevertheless, CBOT futures rose again today as talk of torrid soy demand sent that complex higher (and pulled the other crop markets upward in concert). December corn futures surged 10.75 cents to $3.7525/bushel in late Wednesday trading, while May added 10.25 to $3.97.

Ag markets moved almost unanimously higher Wednesday morning

Soybeans pulled grain prices higher Wednesday morning. Corn and wheat futures set back from overnight gains in apparent response to growing harvest pressure on the yellow grain. However, Brazil’s drought problems and news of a big Chinese purchase sent the soy complex surging, which pulled grain futures upward as well. December corn futures gained 1.5 cents to $3.575/bushel around midsession Wednesday, while May moved up 1.25 to $3.7975.

Large stock market losses depressed commodities Wednesday

Big equity losses weighed on the ag markets Wednesday. Tuesday’s weekly USDA Crop Progress indicated the corn harvest was farther along than expected, which weighed on CBOT futures in early trading. However, today’s late corn weakness probably exemplified a bearish commodity reaction to big losses in the equity markets, since those imply a weak demand outlook. December corn futures dropped 9.5 cents to $3.475/bushel at their Wednesday close, while May slumped 9.5 cents to $3.695.

Making health and comfort a priority for show animals

Throughout the year, youth across the country prepare and travel to various events, such as livestock shows, rodeos, and fairs, to show their animals. Because an animal’s performance at an event can be impacted if they are stressed or sick, Dr. Kevin Washburn, a professor of large animal internal medicine at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, offers tips for keeping animals relaxed and healthy every step of the way...

George Edward Counsell

George Edward Counsell, 82, a longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Wednesday, July 5, 2023, after a short battle with cancer. George was the first-born son of Ed and Lillian Counsell on Nov. 1, 1940, and raised in LaGrande, Oregon on a cattle ranch. He loved living on Happy Valley Ranch driving tractors, putting up hay, herding cattle and riding horses exploring local mountains and streams with his brothers. He attended a little country grade school just down the road and LaGrande High School. He was an active member of FFA and played an alto saxophone in the high school band. He graduated in 1958. He joined the U.S. Air Force in September 1959 and served until September 1963. He was stationed at San Antonio, Texas; Chanute, Illinois; Roswell, New Mexico and Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake. He was an airman 1st class, assistant crew chief and jet mechanic on a KC 135. He served temporary duty in Fairbanks, Alaska and Hickman AFB in Hawaii.

Ruminating on grain overload

Avoiding Rumen Acidosis in cattle, sheep and goats

Ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats have a unique digestive system that allows them to gain energy from forage such as mature pasture grass and hay. The carbohydrates found in these feeds help to provide ruminants with healthy energy, but did you know that consuming high amounts of certain other types of carbohydrates can be dangerous—and even deadly? Dr. Brian Shoemake, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, discusses the physiology behind grain overload, treatment methods, and how to safely incorporate grain into ruminants’ diets. Ruminants are herbivores with four stomach chambers that each play a unique role in digestion. They get their name from the rumen—the first and largest chamber—which acts as a storage area and the location where microbes digest and ferment feed...

Wildfires always frightening, but now deadly, too

Wildfires have always been a frightening concern, but now the several fires in Washington State have turned deadly as well. We think of the heartbreak involved with the loss of life, but also with the loss of structures and animals, cattle, horses and pets.