- Farm Profitability Still Under Pressure Heading Into 2027
- Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
- Rebuilding Trade Relationships
- Farm Bill Not Expected to Pass Through Regular Order
- Committee Leadership Remain Committed to Farm Bill Passage
- Less Bearish Than Expected
- Glyphosate Debate Takes Center Stage on Rogan Podcast
- All Top Stories
Farm Profitability Still Under Pressure Heading Into 2027
Farm income projections may look encouraging on paper, but government payments are providing a significant share of that financial support. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says government payments account for at least one-third of projected U.S. farm income, masking some…
Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz may never return to the way it operated before the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding…
Rebuilding Trade Relationships
During his Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing, Greg Ibach emphasized the importance of Canada and Mexico as markets for U.S. agricultural products. Ibach, who has been nominated for the USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs post, said…
Farm Bill Not Expected to Pass Through Regular Order
Policy Solutions President Jay Truitt questions whether lawmakers will attempt to move the farm bill through a leadership package before the end of the year rather than following the regular legislative process. “They won’t do that unless they can fix…
Committee Leadership Remain Committed to Farm Bill Passage
Senate Agriculture Committee leaders are renewing their push to pass a five-year farm bill before the end of the year. During a confirmation hearing for USDA nominees, Chairman John Boozman said farmers continue to face serious financial challenges. “Visiting with Arkansas…
Less Bearish Than Expected
Van Ahn and Company market analyst Kristie Van Ahn says the USDA crop reports were not necessarily bullish, but they were less bearish than the market had anticipated. “There was a little bit of a sigh of relief overall when…
Glyphosate Debate Takes Center Stage on Rogan Podcast
Glyphosate is drawing renewed attention after a discussion on the Joe Rogan podcast. In an episode released Friday, former senior advisor to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Calley Means, claimed corporate interests worked with the Trump…
More Cows, More Milk
AgDairy hedging specialist Robin Schmahl says strong beef on dairy income has encouraged dairy farmers to expand their herds. “The income farmers have been getting from beef on dairy allowed them to continue to expand and push milk production and…
Farm Profitability Still Under Pressure Heading Into 2027
Farm income projections may look encouraging on paper, but government payments are providing a significant share of that financial support. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says government payments account for at least one-third of projected U.S. farm income, masking some…
Unique Energy Dynamics at Play
Diesel futures have seen some big price swings in recent weeks. North Star Commodity Managing Director Jason Ward says developments involving Iran and changing market sentiment are influencing the energy prices. Meanwhile, ethanol production is running near record levels, creating…
Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz may never return to the way it operated before the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding…
Tariff Reductions Sought
China is calling on the United States to move forward with a $60 billion tariff reduction agreement. China’s Commerce Ministry says the deal would improve conditions for agricultural trade between the two countries. The agreement calls for each country to…
USDA Tests New Way to Complete Surveys
The National Agricultural Statistics Service will begin sending text messages and email invitations to selected farmers for its December Agricultural Survey. Producers will use multifactor authentication to access the secure online survey. NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons says the goal is…
Barge Fleet Needs an Update
An aging barge fleet could mean higher shipping costs and weaker grain prices for farmers. A new CoBank report says the U.S. barge fleet has shrunk nearly eight percent over the past decade. The average barge is now 17.6 years…
More Cows, More Milk
AgDairy hedging specialist Robin Schmahl says strong beef on dairy income has encouraged dairy farmers to expand their herds. “The income farmers have been getting from beef on dairy allowed them to continue to expand and push milk production and…
Unique Energy Dynamics at Play
Diesel futures have seen some big price swings in recent weeks. North Star Commodity Managing Director Jason Ward says developments involving Iran and changing market sentiment are influencing the energy prices. Meanwhile, ethanol production is running near record levels, creating…
Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz may never return to the way it operated before the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding…
Tariff Reductions Sought
China is calling on the United States to move forward with a $60 billion tariff reduction agreement. China’s Commerce Ministry says the deal would improve conditions for agricultural trade between the two countries. The agreement calls for each country to…
USDA Tests New Way to Complete Surveys
The National Agricultural Statistics Service will begin sending text messages and email invitations to selected farmers for its December Agricultural Survey. Producers will use multifactor authentication to access the secure online survey. NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons says the goal is…
Rebuilding Trade Relationships
During his Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing, Greg Ibach emphasized the importance of Canada and Mexico as markets for U.S. agricultural products. Ibach, who has been nominated for the USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs post, said…
AI Oversight Added to Crop Reports
USDA adding artificial intelligence to its crop reporting process. The agency used an internally developed AI tool to check the crop production report for errors before its release Tuesday. USDA Under Secretary Scott Hutchins said the technology could have caught…
Farm Profitability Still Under Pressure Heading Into 2027
Farm income projections may look encouraging on paper, but government payments are providing a significant share of that financial support. Farm management analyst Kent Thiesse says government payments account for at least one-third of projected U.S. farm income, masking some…
Unique Energy Dynamics at Play
Diesel futures have seen some big price swings in recent weeks. North Star Commodity Managing Director Jason Ward says developments involving Iran and changing market sentiment are influencing the energy prices. Meanwhile, ethanol production is running near record levels, creating…
Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz may never return to the way it operated before the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding…
Tariff Reductions Sought
China is calling on the United States to move forward with a $60 billion tariff reduction agreement. China’s Commerce Ministry says the deal would improve conditions for agricultural trade between the two countries. The agreement calls for each country to…
USDA Tests New Way to Complete Surveys
The National Agricultural Statistics Service will begin sending text messages and email invitations to selected farmers for its December Agricultural Survey. Producers will use multifactor authentication to access the secure online survey. NASS Administrator Joseph Parsons says the goal is…
Barge Fleet Needs an Update
An aging barge fleet could mean higher shipping costs and weaker grain prices for farmers. A new CoBank report says the U.S. barge fleet has shrunk nearly eight percent over the past decade. The average barge is now 17.6 years…
NDFU Foundation Has New Senior Director
Katie Haarsager is the new senior director of the North Dakota Farmers Union Foundation. Previously, Haarsager worked for The AES Corporation, North Dakota Industrial Commission and Enbridge.
Improvements Seen in Alfalfa Seed Supply
The alfalfa seed supply is improving. Some varieties were in tight supply this past year, but production is now better positioned to meet demand. An update in the Midwest Forage Association newsletter said prices for elite alfalfa varieties is expected…
State-by-State Estimates Released
USDA’s state-by-state estimates showed mixed results across the Northern Plains. Minnesota’s corn yield increased nine bushels per acre from October to 204 bushels per acre. Soybean yields increased five bushels to 54 bushels per acre. North Dakota corn yields declined three…
Dry Bean Scene
In this week’s Dry Bean Scene, Hope, North Dakota farmer Tony Richards recaps the difficult growing season. Click here.
Elevator Capacity Creates Harvest Delays
Harvest is nearing completion in southwestern Minnesota. Franklin farmer Brian Greenslit says corn and soybean yields have been above average. There’s still some corn out in the fields. “Quite a few of the elevators just got full and shut guys…
Karlstad Farmer Finds Reasons to Be Thankful After Dry Summer
Despite a dry growing season, the harvest turned out better than expected near Karlstad, Minnesota. Kurt Ackre’s soybeans and corn finished average or slightly better. “We were thankful for all the bushels that came in because it didn’t look very…
Fertilizer Costs Shape Crop Plans
High prices are influencing fall fertilizer applications and planting decisions for 2027. Rock and Roll Agronomy owner Jason Hanson is seeing some farmers reducing fertilizer rates to manage expenses. Market prices are also influencing which crops farmers may plant next…
Harvest Wraps Up Near Wyndmere
Harvest wrapped up near Wyndmere, North Dakota, following a growing season marked by limited summer rainfall. Farmer Carson Klosterman says the operation was able to finish before wet weather arrived. “Corn went smooth and just glad we got that done…
More Cows, More Milk
AgDairy hedging specialist Robin Schmahl says strong beef on dairy income has encouraged dairy farmers to expand their herds. “The income farmers have been getting from beef on dairy allowed them to continue to expand and push milk production and…
Strong Milk Production Keeps Pressure on Dairy Markets
An abundant milk supply continues to challenge dairy markets, with increased production putting pressure on prices. Dairy market analyst Robin Schmahl says plentiful cheese and butter supplies have reduced buying urgency, making it difficult for prices to gain momentum. Export…
Beef Plant Expansion
Tyson Foods plans to expand its Amarillo, Texas beef plant to a second production shift. This is part of a partnership with a group of ranchers called the Allied Beef Company. This second shift operation is already happening but will…
MN Beef Update
In the MN Beef Update, Minnesota Beef Council CEO Kelly Schmidt offers information on how to learn more about the beef checkoff. Click here.
USMEF Awards to be Presented This Week
The U.S. Meat Export Federation will present the Michael J. Mansfield Award to Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds for her promotion of trade opportunities. Steve Isaf, founder of Interra International, will receive the USMEF Distinguished Service Award. The awards will be…
Lean Beef Imports Benefit Fed Cattle Values
President Trump’s decision this fall to import 300,000 metric tons of lean beef trimmings continues to cause heartburn in cattle country. Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonzer said this decision was actually a positive factor for cattle prices. “The…
Good Culture-AMPI Partner on Blair Site
The clean-label cultured dairy brand, Good Culture, has announced its partnership with AMPI to open a dedicated production facility at AMPI’s Blair, Wisconsin plant. The facility was built precisely to Good Culture’s standards. The Blair plant is expected to begin…
- Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
- A Fix Needed for Ag Labor Reform
- Rebuilding Trade Relationships
- Hoeven-Led Ag Appropriations Proposal Includes FSA, Research Increases
- Historic Election in Minnesota
- Farm Bill Not Expected to Pass Through Regular Order
- Committee Leadership Remain Committed to Farm Bill Passage
- All Policy
Hormuz May Not Return to Business as Usual
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz may never return to the way it operated before the war with the United States and Israel. Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf told Al Jazeera that Iran and Oman have reached an understanding…
A Fix Needed for Ag Labor Reform
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall is urging President Trump and Congress to work together on agricultural labor reform. Duvall says worker shortages continue to threaten the nation’s food supply, and farmers need a reliable workforce. Farm Bureau supports the…
Rebuilding Trade Relationships
During his Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation hearing, Greg Ibach emphasized the importance of Canada and Mexico as markets for U.S. agricultural products. Ibach, who has been nominated for the USDA under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs post, said…
Hoeven-Led Ag Appropriations Proposal Includes FSA, Research Increases
Republican members of the Senate Appropriations Committee have released a $27.2 billion discretionary agriculture spending proposal for the new fiscal year. The plan includes an $85 million increase in support for staffing at county FSA offices and a ban on…
Historic Election in Minnesota
Minnesota’s election results are bringing major changes to state government, with new leadership expected to reshape agricultural policy. “This is a historic election,” explained Blois Olson, political analyst. “The last time we had a shift like this was 1974, during the…
Farm Bill Not Expected to Pass Through Regular Order
Policy Solutions President Jay Truitt questions whether lawmakers will attempt to move the farm bill through a leadership package before the end of the year rather than following the regular legislative process. “They won’t do that unless they can fix…
Committee Leadership Remain Committed to Farm Bill Passage
Senate Agriculture Committee leaders are renewing their push to pass a five-year farm bill before the end of the year. During a confirmation hearing for USDA nominees, Chairman John Boozman said farmers continue to face serious financial challenges. “Visiting with Arkansas…
