Top Stories
Examining the operating expense ratio
The operating expense ratio is a tool that farmers can utilize to determine the financial efficiency of their grain farms. Gerald Mashange, an agricultural economist at the University of Illinois, explains how the operating expense ratio is calculated. Mashange says that after compiling and analyzing 20 years’ worth of data, clear trends begin to emerge. He also defines what is considered a healthy operating expense ratio. According to Mashange 2025 will bring many notable challenges,...
Early harvest begins in west-central Iowa
Combines are already in the fields in parts of Iowa. Extreme drought and a rare derecho combined to make things difficult for growers this year, and it?s caused an earlier start to harvest in some areas. One of those spots is west-central Iowa, according to ISU...
Maintain soil pH with Calcium Products? 98G
Soil pH is considered the foundation of nutrient availability and is critical to maximizing crop yield. Calcium Products is here to help.Studies show that when soil pH is below 6.0, it can reduce yields by as much as 30 percent. 98G from Calcium Products ? a...
Be prepared for an interesting 2020 harvest (Part 1)
Oh, 2020. It started with so many high hopes. The horizon looked just a bit brighter for the agriculture industry. Farmers I saw at meetings and trade shows had a little extra spring in their step. Then the year showed us what it was made of. For Iowa farmers, many of...
September 30 is deadline to update safety-net program crop yields
USDA?s Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farm owners that they have a one-time opportunity to update Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program yields for covered commodities on the farm. The deadline is September 30, 2020, to update yields, which are used to calculate the PLC...
Analyst: “Take advantage of decent prices today”
Soybean futures saw "another good run" on Wednesday.Wednesday marked the eleventh straight day of upward trends in soybean futures, according to Jim McCormick, branch manager of Ag Market. He adds, "We are technically getting overbought," but encourages folks to look...
Grassley comments on future pandemic relief and Iowa relief
Congress is back from its August recess. One question on everyone?s mind is whether both sides of the aisle can agree on another pandemic relief bill, and how long will it take to get one done. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley commented on the situation during his weekly...
Video
More Ag News
AEM applauds infrastructure bill and looks forward to 2022
Earlier this year, I spoke with Kip Eideberg, Senior VP for Government and Industry Relations at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), about the importance of getting an infrastructure bill through Congress and on to President Biden?s desk. We talked about...
Opening Market Podcast – Jim McCormick AgMarket.Net 12-15-21
Some more question marks are forming over South American weather. What will the FED do this afternoon to help curtail the Inflationary problem? Dustin visits with Jim McCormick of AgMarket.Net
Iowa farmland values up 29%
After several years of modest gains and losses, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland skyrocketed 29% in 2021. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is now higher than at any point since Iowa State University began surveying values in 1941 and is 12% higher...
Increasing profitability potential with Advanced Acre Rx
NAFB Trade Talk Audio: Winfield United Full Interview - Jason NelsonThe team at Winfield United recently attended the 2021 NAFB Convention in Kansas City to tout the benefits of its Advanced Acre Rx program.Jason Nelson, Winfield United field services sales manager,...
Report: Farmers embrace water quality partnerships
Farmers appreciate partnerships that protect water quality, according to a new report from the Agricultural Nutrient Policy Council.Farm Bureau?s Laura Lurkins serves as president of the council, and says the report highlights the conservation work of farmers and...
