Keith Good
@kgooda.bsky.social
Attorney, former USDA agricultural statistician, former GMF Journalism Fellow, and former farmdoc News editor at the University of Illinois. I cover Corn Belt agriculture, with a focus on USDA data and reports.
More at: https://substack.com/@goodka
More at: https://substack.com/@goodka
U.S. Beef Supply Tightens as #Cattle Slaughter Slows
USDA lowers its 2026 and 2027 beef production forecasts as fewer cattle move through the supply chain, while ground beef prices remain elevated. 🐄
goodka.substack.com/p/us-beef-su...
USDA lowers its 2026 and 2027 beef production forecasts as fewer cattle move through the supply chain, while ground beef prices remain elevated. 🐄
goodka.substack.com/p/us-beef-su...
U.S. Beef Supply Tightens as Cattle Slaughter Slows
USDA lowers its 2026 and 2027 beef production forecasts as fewer cattle move through the supply chain, while ground beef prices remain elevated.
goodka.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 5:08 PM
U.S. Beef Supply Tightens as #Cattle Slaughter Slows
USDA lowers its 2026 and 2027 beef production forecasts as fewer cattle move through the supply chain, while ground beef prices remain elevated. 🐄
goodka.substack.com/p/us-beef-su...
USDA lowers its 2026 and 2027 beef production forecasts as fewer cattle move through the supply chain, while ground beef prices remain elevated. 🐄
goodka.substack.com/p/us-beef-su...
School lunch prices over the last 20 years (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)
September 18, 2026 at 4:53 PM
School lunch prices over the last 20 years (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor)
The 2026 #beef production outlook is lowered by 90 million pounds from last month to 24.877 billion pounds.
The 2027 beef production forecast is also reduced to 24.835 billion pounds, 145 million pounds lower than last month’s forecast. www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
The 2027 beef production forecast is also reduced to 24.835 billion pounds, 145 million pounds lower than last month’s forecast. www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
September 18, 2026 at 4:30 PM
The 2026 #beef production outlook is lowered by 90 million pounds from last month to 24.877 billion pounds.
The 2027 beef production forecast is also reduced to 24.835 billion pounds, 145 million pounds lower than last month’s forecast. www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
The 2027 beef production forecast is also reduced to 24.835 billion pounds, 145 million pounds lower than last month’s forecast. www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
The monthly average retail egg 🥚price reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for July turned up slightly from June to $2.19 per dozen.
This is $1.41 below the average from July 2025.
In August, the monthly average retail price was $2.27, www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
This is $1.41 below the average from July 2025.
In August, the monthly average retail price was $2.27, www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
September 18, 2026 at 4:28 PM
The monthly average retail egg 🥚price reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for July turned up slightly from June to $2.19 per dozen.
This is $1.41 below the average from July 2025.
In August, the monthly average retail price was $2.27, www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
This is $1.41 below the average from July 2025.
In August, the monthly average retail price was $2.27, www.ers.usda.gov/media/29662/...
China 🇨🇳 has fulfilled more than half of its annual US soybean 🌱 purchase pledge, www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
September 18, 2026 at 2:45 PM
China 🇨🇳 has fulfilled more than half of its annual US soybean 🌱 purchase pledge, www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Drought Clouds U.S. Cattle Herd Rebuilding
Extreme heat and deteriorating forage conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and the Plains could slow efforts to rebuild cattle numbers.
goodka.substack.com/p/drought-cl...
Extreme heat and deteriorating forage conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and the Plains could slow efforts to rebuild cattle numbers.
goodka.substack.com/p/drought-cl...
Drought Clouds U.S. Cattle Herd Rebuilding
Extreme heat and deteriorating forage conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and the Plains could slow efforts to rebuild cattle numbers.
goodka.substack.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Drought Clouds U.S. Cattle Herd Rebuilding
Extreme heat and deteriorating forage conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and the Plains could slow efforts to rebuild cattle numbers.
goodka.substack.com/p/drought-cl...
Extreme heat and deteriorating forage conditions in Texas, Oklahoma and the Plains could slow efforts to rebuild cattle numbers.
goodka.substack.com/p/drought-cl...
The New World screwworm resurfaced in New Mexico just as a major gateway for Mexican cattle imports is poised to open in the state. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Screwworm Reappears in New Mexico Ahead of Port Reopening
The New World screwworm resurfaced in New Mexico just as a major gateway for Mexican cattle imports is poised to open in the state.
www.bloomberg.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:55 PM
The New World screwworm resurfaced in New Mexico just as a major gateway for Mexican cattle imports is poised to open in the state. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
USDA Wx:
Summer-like heat persists from Kansas southward, w highs near 100F compounding a two-month hot, dry spell that has stressed crops and pastures
Oklahoma was hardest hit, with 64% of rangeland and pastures rated poor to very poor as of Sept. 13.
---Not good for cattle, herd rebuilding 🐄
Summer-like heat persists from Kansas southward, w highs near 100F compounding a two-month hot, dry spell that has stressed crops and pastures
Oklahoma was hardest hit, with 64% of rangeland and pastures rated poor to very poor as of Sept. 13.
---Not good for cattle, herd rebuilding 🐄
September 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
USDA Wx:
Summer-like heat persists from Kansas southward, w highs near 100F compounding a two-month hot, dry spell that has stressed crops and pastures
Oklahoma was hardest hit, with 64% of rangeland and pastures rated poor to very poor as of Sept. 13.
---Not good for cattle, herd rebuilding 🐄
Summer-like heat persists from Kansas southward, w highs near 100F compounding a two-month hot, dry spell that has stressed crops and pastures
Oklahoma was hardest hit, with 64% of rangeland and pastures rated poor to very poor as of Sept. 13.
---Not good for cattle, herd rebuilding 🐄
Heat will grip the Great Plains, central Mississippi Valley, Texas and Oklahoma this weekend, after Dallas reached a record-tying 99F Thursday.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Heat to Sear Great Plains This Weekend as Hawaii on Flood Watch
Heat will continue to sear the Great Plains and central Mississippi Valley this weekend, as well as pushing into Texas, Oklahoma and even the eastern US, prompting the nation’s largest grid operator t...
www.bloomberg.com
September 18, 2026 at 1:31 PM
Heat will grip the Great Plains, central Mississippi Valley, Texas and Oklahoma this weekend, after Dallas reached a record-tying 99F Thursday.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The NOAA map shows summer precipitation was generally highest across the eastern U.S. and parts of the Midwest, while much of the West received substantially less rainfall.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
September 18, 2026 at 1:28 PM
The NOAA map shows summer precipitation was generally highest across the eastern U.S. and parts of the Midwest, while much of the West received substantially less rainfall.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
The U.S. easily shattered a Dust Bowl-era standard,
experiencing its hottest summer on record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
experiencing its hottest summer on record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
September 18, 2026 at 1:04 PM
The U.S. easily shattered a Dust Bowl-era standard,
experiencing its hottest summer on record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
experiencing its hottest summer on record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
State precipitation rankings ranged from the third-driest August in Texas & fifth driest in Oklahoma...
...to the wettest August on record in Indiana and Ohio
Joining those two Midwestern States on the top-ten
list for August wetness were #Illinois and West Virginia.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
...to the wettest August on record in Indiana and Ohio
Joining those two Midwestern States on the top-ten
list for August wetness were #Illinois and West Virginia.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
September 18, 2026 at 1:02 PM
State precipitation rankings ranged from the third-driest August in Texas & fifth driest in Oklahoma...
...to the wettest August on record in Indiana and Ohio
Joining those two Midwestern States on the top-ten
list for August wetness were #Illinois and West Virginia.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
...to the wettest August on record in Indiana and Ohio
Joining those two Midwestern States on the top-ten
list for August wetness were #Illinois and West Virginia.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
Aug. Weather:
All states ranked within the warm half of the historical distribution.
Indiana, with its 50th-warmest August, was the
“coolest” state.
For California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, it was the hottest August on record
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
All states ranked within the warm half of the historical distribution.
Indiana, with its 50th-warmest August, was the
“coolest” state.
For California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, it was the hottest August on record
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
September 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Aug. Weather:
All states ranked within the warm half of the historical distribution.
Indiana, with its 50th-warmest August, was the
“coolest” state.
For California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, it was the hottest August on record
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
All states ranked within the warm half of the historical distribution.
Indiana, with its 50th-warmest August, was the
“coolest” state.
For California, Colorado, Nevada, and New Mexico, it was the hottest August on record
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
According to preliminary data provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information, the contiguous U.S. experienced its hottest August during the 1895-2026 period of record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
September 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM
According to preliminary data provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information, the contiguous U.S. experienced its hottest August during the 1895-2026 period of record.
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
www.usda.gov/sites/defaul...?
Reposted by Keith Good
⚠️ 🇦🇪 🇺🇸 Iranian state media shares footage of drones launching at US base in UAE
Footage released by Iranian state media shows what it says are drones being launched at a US air base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters
Footage released by Iranian state media shows what it says are drones being launched at a US air base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters
August 31, 2026 at 12:38 PM
⚠️ 🇦🇪 🇺🇸 Iranian state media shares footage of drones launching at US base in UAE
Footage released by Iranian state media shows what it says are drones being launched at a US air base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters
Footage released by Iranian state media shows what it says are drones being launched at a US air base in the United Arab Emirates. The UAE condemned an Iranian drone attack intercepted over its territorial waters
Crop prices are set to cap their biggest monthly jump in more than a decade as wars and extreme weather disrupt supplies, raising concerns about food inflation.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
August 31, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Crop prices are set to cap their biggest monthly jump in more than a decade as wars and extreme weather disrupt supplies, raising concerns about food inflation.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
USDA reported today that private exporters sold 132,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2026/27 marketing year.
www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/exp...
www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/exp...
August 25, 2026 at 1:10 PM
USDA reported today that private exporters sold 132,000 metric tons of U.S. soybeans for delivery to unknown destinations during the 2026/27 marketing year.
www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/exp...
www.fas.usda.gov/newsroom/exp...
Minimum temperatures across key Illinois locations dropped significantly below seasonal averages on Aug. 24, led by 9-degree deficits in Moline, Springfield, and Lincoln Airport.
August 25, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Minimum temperatures across key Illinois locations dropped significantly below seasonal averages on Aug. 24, led by 9-degree deficits in Moline, Springfield, and Lincoln Airport.
As US 🇺🇸 border reopens to Mexican 🇲🇽 cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread 🐄
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
As US border reopens to Mexican cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread
Mexico is bolstering its screwworm containment campaign in northern border states where recent cases have been detected, heightening scrutiny of livestock exports as cross-border trade resumed on Mon...
www.reuters.com
August 24, 2026 at 9:37 PM
As US 🇺🇸 border reopens to Mexican 🇲🇽 cattle, concerns persist over screwworm spread 🐄
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
Illinois Crops Progress as Wet Pattern Eases
Development remains near to ahead of normal despite softer crop ratings, while moderate temperatures and drier conditions have provided a welcome reprieve from a wetter-than-average month.
goodka.substack.com/p/illinois-c...
Development remains near to ahead of normal despite softer crop ratings, while moderate temperatures and drier conditions have provided a welcome reprieve from a wetter-than-average month.
goodka.substack.com/p/illinois-c...
Illinois Crops Progress as Wet Pattern Eases
Development remains near to ahead of normal despite softer crop ratings, while moderate temperatures and drier conditions have provided a welcome reprieve from a wetter-than-average month.
goodka.substack.com
August 24, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Illinois Crops Progress as Wet Pattern Eases
Development remains near to ahead of normal despite softer crop ratings, while moderate temperatures and drier conditions have provided a welcome reprieve from a wetter-than-average month.
goodka.substack.com/p/illinois-c...
Development remains near to ahead of normal despite softer crop ratings, while moderate temperatures and drier conditions have provided a welcome reprieve from a wetter-than-average month.
goodka.substack.com/p/illinois-c...
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the US will reopen two additional ports to cattle shipments from Mexico in 30-day increments after imports restarted at an Arizona port.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
August 24, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said the US will reopen two additional ports to cattle shipments from Mexico in 30-day increments after imports restarted at an Arizona port.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
The US is set to impose a 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity before a planned summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump next month, according to people familiar with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Eyes China Overcapacity Tariffs of 7.5% Before Xi-Trump Talks
The US is set to impose a 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity before a planned summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump next month, according to people fam...
www.bloomberg.com
August 24, 2026 at 3:40 PM
The US is set to impose a 7.5% tariff on Chinese goods over allegations of excess manufacturing capacity before a planned summit between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump next month, according to people familiar with the matter.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Illinois Cropland Rents Show a Fourfold Divide
Macon County tops the state at $347 an acre as prime central Illinois farmland continues to command a sizable premium.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Macon County tops the state at $347 an acre as prime central Illinois farmland continues to command a sizable premium.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Illinois Cropland Rents Show a Fourfold Divide
Macon County tops the state at $347 an acre as prime central Illinois farmland continues to command a sizable premium.
substack.com
August 24, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Illinois Cropland Rents Show a Fourfold Divide
Macon County tops the state at $347 an acre as prime central Illinois farmland continues to command a sizable premium.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Macon County tops the state at $347 an acre as prime central Illinois farmland continues to command a sizable premium.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
EPA plans to extend a September 1 deadline requiring oil refiners to demonstrate compliance with the nation's biofuel blending laws, the agency said in a notice seen by Reuters on Friday, a move that could help the industry reduce the cost of compliance.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
US EPA to extend renewable fuel standard compliance deadline for refiners
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans to extend a September 1 deadline requiring oil refiners to demonstrate compliance with the nation's biofuel blending laws, the agency said in a notice se...
www.reuters.com
August 24, 2026 at 2:14 PM
EPA plans to extend a September 1 deadline requiring oil refiners to demonstrate compliance with the nation's biofuel blending laws, the agency said in a notice seen by Reuters on Friday, a move that could help the industry reduce the cost of compliance.
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
www.reuters.com/business/ene...
President Donald Trump said on Friday he will temporarily ease beef tariffs to help lower prices, although U.S. cattle producers warned the move would hurt efforts to rebuild herds and economists said it would have little effect on prices.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
Trump to temporarily ease US beef tariffs, irking cattle producers
The push to lower people's grocery bills would have little effect, economists said.
www.reuters.com
August 24, 2026 at 2:12 PM
President Donald Trump said on Friday he will temporarily ease beef tariffs to help lower prices, although U.S. cattle producers warned the move would hurt efforts to rebuild herds and economists said it would have little effect on prices.
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...
www.reuters.com/world/us/tru...