10/14/2026
Got in some Purina Livestock Feed. My jaw dropped when I saw the price increases! I had to go digging to try to make sense of all this. I have attached a reasonable explanation from Drewryville Feeds of Virginia. I will also add that Purina just opened the new MidWest Distribution Center in NW Missouri.
🚜🌾 DREWRYVILLE FARM & FEED — WEEKLY FARM & FEED UPDATE
October 13, 2026
There is plenty happening in agriculture this week, and some of it could have a direct effect on feed prices, livestock producers, hay supplies and the cost of running a farm.
🌽 USDA RAISES THE CORN CROP — IMPORTANT NEWS FOR ANIMAL FEED
USDA's October 9 report raised the estimated U.S. corn yield from 178.5 to 181.2 bushels per acre and increased projected production to approximately 16.03 BILLION bushels.
USDA also raised expected 2026/27 corn ending stocks from about 1.57 billion to 1.85 billion bushels and lowered the projected season-average farm price from $4.80 to about $4.70 per bushel.
For livestock owners, that's worth paying attention to.
Corn remains the primary energy grain in American livestock feed. More corn available doesn't guarantee that finished feed prices immediately fall, but generally speaking, larger supplies give the feed market more breathing room.
USDA is still projecting around 6 billion bushels of corn to go into feed and residual use this marketing year.
🌱 SOYBEANS & SOYBEAN MEAL — PROTEIN COSTS STILL MATTER
USDA also increased its soybean production estimate.
The October forecast now puts the U.S. soybean crop at about 4.56 billion bushels, with a national yield of approximately 53.1 bushels per acre.
But here's the number livestock owners should watch:
USDA currently projects the average 2026/27 soybean meal price at about $340 per ton.
Soybean meal is one of the major protein ingredients used in poultry, hog, cattle and many other livestock feeds.
So when people ask why the price of feed doesn't always follow corn prices exactly, this is part of the answer.
Feed isn't just corn.
Protein meals, vitamins, minerals, fats, transportation, processing and energy costs all go into that bag, barrel or bulk load.
🌾 WHEAT SUPPLIES ARE MUCH TIGHTER THAN CORN
Wheat is another grain worth watching, especially for those of us who use wheat in livestock rations.
USDA is forecasting the 2026 wheat crop at approximately 1.53 billion bushels, with projected ending stocks of about 740 million bushels and an average farm price near $6.30 per bushel.
USDA's September Grain Stocks report also showed wheat stocks running 13% below the previous year.
That doesn't mean wheat disappears from livestock feed, but it means we shouldn't assume every grain ingredient will follow corn lower.
⛽ DIESEL IS BECOMING A MAJOR FARM EXPENSE AGAIN
This may be one of the most overlooked agricultural stories right now.
The latest official EIA weekly figures showed U.S. on-highway diesel averaging about $6.20 per gallon on October 5. In the Lower Atlantic region, which includes Virginia, the average was about $5.70 per gallon.
High diesel doesn't just hurt the farmer running tractors.
It affects:
🚜 Planting & harvesting
🚛 Grain transportation
🌾 Hay delivery
🐄 Livestock hauling
🏭 Feed manufacturing
📦 Ingredient delivery
🛒 And eventually the consumer
That's why sometimes you can see grain prices soften while the cost of getting feed from the mill to the farm continues climbing.
🐄 VIRGINIA HAY SHORTAGE — STILL VERY IMPORTANT LOCALLY
Virginia's prolonged drought has created what VDACS describes as a significant statewide hay shortage.
As of September 8, every Virginia county and independent city except Norfolk had received a USDA drought disaster designation during 2026.
Virginia's emergency hay transportation waiver is currently in effect through October 30, allowing greater flexibility for over-width hay loads.
Virginia has also activated price-gouging protections specifically involving emergency hay procurement and transportation.
If you're feeding cattle, goats, sheep or horses, this is not the winter to guess how much hay you have.
Count it. Estimate consumption. Allow for waste. And plan ahead.
🐂 VIRGINIA LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS — BLACK VULTURE PROGRAM RENEWED
This one is especially worth sharing with cattle, sheep and goat producers.
On October 7, Virginia renewed its Black Vulture depredation permit program.
Black Vultures can attack vulnerable livestock, especially newborn calves, lambs and kids.
Qualifying Virginia livestock producers who are experiencing problems can apply for a free sub-permit allowing the take of up to five Black Vultures per year, provided required non-lethal deterrent measures have already been attempted.
🐔🐄 ANIMAL HEALTH WATCH
USDA APHIS confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza in two dairy herds in Washington on October 8. USDA also continues its response to New World screwworm, including changes to affected zones in Texas.
For small farms and homesteads, simple biosecurity still matters:
✔️ Keep wild birds away from poultry feed and water when possible.
✔️ Don't share dirty equipment between farms.
✔️ Watch livestock wounds carefully.
✔️ Isolate sick animals.
✔️ Report unusual sickness or sudden unexplained deaths to your veterinarian.
💰 USDA FARM PROGRAM UPDATE
USDA announced on October 7 that Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs are generating approximately $13.8 billion in payments for the 2025 crop year to eligible producers.
USDA is also currently enrolling producers in the updated 2026 ARC and PLC programs, with a December 11 deadline for 2026 enrollment.
🇺🇸 THE BIG PICTURE
This week's news is a good reminder that the price of animal feed is influenced by much more than one commodity.
Corn may be plentiful.
Soybean meal may stay expensive.
Wheat supplies may be tighter.
Diesel can increase transportation costs.
Drought can increase hay demand.
And all of it eventually comes together at the farm.
That's why we believe knowing what's happening in agriculture is important—whether you run hundreds of acres or you're simply trying to raise a few animals and become a little more self-sufficient.
🐓🐖🐐🐄🐎🐇🌽
Drewryville Farm & Feed
Supporting local farmers, livestock owners, homesteaders and the people who help feed America.
