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Farmers trim input costs as profit margins remain tight
Farmers across the Corn Belt are reducing spending on fertilizer, seed and crop protection products as they prepare for another year of narrow profit margins. Agricultural economists and industry analysts report that many producers are carefully managing expenses after several seasons of declining crop prices and higher operating costs. While fertilizer prices have moderated from record highs seen in recent years, input costs remain elevated compared with historical averages. Farm management...
Upgraded tiling systems have been saviors this spring
Nobody would have believed after the past few years in the Western Corn Belt that we would want a break in the rain. Iowa certainly has had its share, even though some spots are drying out again. My family in Minnesota has been screaming at Mother Nature to turn the...
“Ring of fire” weather will keep Iowa hot and humid
Seems like this week’s hot temperatures were just a taste of what’s in store for next week. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said next week is supposed to have high temperatures and plenty of rainfall due to a “ring of fire” weather configuration. Glisan...
The importance of agronomy at the U.S. Open
Professional Golf's U.S. Open took place last week at North Carolina's famed Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. But it's not just a matter of the world's best golfers showing up and taking a few swings. Years of course preparation take place in the lead up to the...
Grassley questions increased used cooking oil imports
There is a lot on the line for the future of biofuels as United States farmers are hopeful that demand for biofuels continues to climb with U.S. crops helping to provide the feedstock to help power U.S. trucks and cars. However, one of the issues standing in the way...
First USDA trade mission dedicated to indigenous products
Alexis Taylor, USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, is in Vancouver, Canada, for a first-of-its-kind trade mission. The mission is intended to develop export markets for Tribal and Native Hawaiian businesses and products. “This historic...
Don’t hold your breath on a new Farm Bill in 2024
The lines are in the sand and the differences are glaring as we approach what could be one of the greatest exercises in futility the federal government has seen in quite some time. Of course, we are talking about the Farm Bill, which seems to carry all the optimism of...
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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...
Updated estimates of renewable diesel through 2026
University of Illinois analysts looked into the future of renewable diesel production in the U.S. and saw some headwinds. Renewable diesel production capacity has exploded in recent years, increasing by more than three billion gallons. This substantially impacted fats...
AI’s presence continues to grow in agriculture
It seems like every time that we blink, artificial intelligence, or AI, has found a new way of helping us do our tasks a little bit better. Sometimes, it can also be a little scary. We harken back to some classic movies where AI has become too smart and has put...
