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Previewing the November USDA Cattle on Feed report
USDA will publish the November Cattle on Feed report on Friday November 22nd at 2pm central time. The monthly report offers data on the number of cattle on feed, placements in feedlots, and marketings. At this point in 2024 many analysts had expected to see the number of heifers retained for breeding begin to increase. That has not materialized in the latest Cattle on Feed reports and the beef cattle herd size remains historically low. Ross Baldwin is a hedging strategist with AgMarket.net and...
AFBF announces first Veteran Farmer of Excellence award
A new award recognizes veterans or service members for excellence in farming and positively impacting their communities. Retired Army Colonel Joe Ricker of Indiana is the first winner of the American Farm Bureau’s Veteran Farmer of Excellence Award. Ricker served 30...
What could tariffs mean for fertilizer in 2025?
We are a week removed from the Presidential election, and President-Elect Trump is already assembling his teams for the transfer of power in January. One of the things the American and Global economies will be paying close attention to is whether Trump follows through...
Cost down to raise 2025 corn crop
Looking ahead to the 2025 corn crop, one company says the cost to raise that crop is down. Farmers National Company says 2025 crop inputs are expected to see a slight reduction compared to 2024. While some farms may experience increased costs for specific reasons,...
Supporting veterans who are in need of food
On this Veterans Day, take a moment to think of the veterans who may be living in less fortunate conditions. Nearly 1.5 million veterans in the U.S. are living below the federal poverty level, and veterans living in poverty are at higher risk than nonveterans for food...
Nebraska rancher Steve Hanson elected as USMEF chair
Steve Hanson, a rancher and cattle feeder from Elsie, Nebraska, was elected chair of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) at the organization’s Strategic Planning Conference in Tucson, Arizona on Friday. Hanson said one of his priorities will be to highlight the...
A November soybean surprise
In most years the USDA November WASDE report does not make significant changes to the yield and production forecast for soybeans. That’s USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. He says that last Friday’s WASDE report provided a November surprise by cutting the previous...
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Biologicals provide most benefit for producers with a supplemental approach
The biological market has expanded very quickly in recent years and biological companies are striving to demonstrate their value to producers as part of a supplemental crop plan. Brent Lackey is the head of biologicals product marketing with Syngenta and he says that...
Recent rains soaking deep into the soil profile
After one of the driest starts in recorded history for October, the end of the month brought plenty of rain. At this point, the weather is now continuing with a wetter pattern. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, gave an update on the latest conditions. Since...
Adding value to the U.S. pork industry through innovation
Research-backed innovation uses technology, consumer trends and cuts to add value to the product. Kevin Sheehan, director of processor engagement at the National Pork Board, said innovation has been very beneficial to the packer side of the industry. Sheehan said...
Tractor manufacturers slow production as demand declines
As farmers struggle with low crop prices, relatively high interest rates and increased input costs, fewer are making big-ticket purchases like tractors, combines and farm implements, resulting in a backlog of inventory across the globe. Machinery manufacturer AGCO has...
What would a major animal disease response look like?
We talk at length about the diseases that affect the livestock industry, whether it is H5N1, PRRS, or BRD. One of the things we have been blessed to not discuss, though, is African Swine Fever (ASF) or any other foreign animal disease (FAD) of that caliber. We know...