Top Stories
U.S. ag trade deficit continues climbing in 2025
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit a record high in the first half of 2025. Bloomberg said that only highlights American farmers’ longtime dominant role in world exports, which is hurt by President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Agricultural export value trailed the import value by $4.1 billion in June, a gap that’s 14 percent larger than a year ago. That pushed the ag sector’s trade deficit to $28.6 billion through the first half of 2025. For 50 years, the U.S. ag sector has consistently had...
Rural Mainstreet Index remains positive for now
The Rural Mainstreet Index for April was just released, and while its numbers are good, they are showing signs of what may be coming. April came in at a 62, which is still in growth territory but is down over three percentage points from March. So, there isn?t a lot...
China Ambassador Qin Gang talks U.S. agriculture and the future of U.S.-China relations
Several Chinese ag leaders were able to make the trip to the World Food Prize Hall of Laureates last week. The most prominent guest among them was China Ambassador to the U.S. Qin Gang. He continued the theme of friendship during his opening remarks.Ambassador Gang...
Senate Ag Committee holds first Farm Bill hearing
Today, the Senate Ag Committee was in Michigan to hold their first 2023 Farm Bill hearing. Michigan is the home of Ag Committee Chair Senator Debbie Stabenow.We are facing quite a difference heading to 2023 than we were going towards 2018. Senator Stabenow highlights...
The sweet-smelling business of manure
Yes, you read that right. Manure has certainly become a big business and another great source of income for livestock producers. We see all kinds being used. Cattle, hogs, and poultry manures are prized for their offsetting of high-priced fertilizer inputs.However,...
Disease management is key even with good prices (Part 2)
Earlier this week we talked about the keys to managing diseases. Don?t put all your faith in one treatment, scout early, and attack right away in the season. Today, we keep talking with Drake Copeland of FMC, he talks about more disease management tips as the planters...
Proposed SEC rule could hurt every U.S. farmer and rancher
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and 119 other ag organizations sent a joint letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding a proposed rule that may impact every American farmer and rancher. The groups want more time to comment on the...
Video
More Ag News
Final Cattle on Feed Report of 2022 meets expectations
The final Cattle on Feed Report of 2022 was generally in line with pre-report estimates. Dr. Derrell Peel, a livestock market economist with the Oklahoma State University Extension Service, provided a breakdown of the numbers.?This December cattle on feed report shows...
Report shows price increases for different food types
A new USDA report shows retail food prices increased 8.9 percent in the first seven months of this year. That increase is higher than the rate over the same period last year and 2020. All 13 food categories in the USDA report experienced faster price increases so far...
Opening Market Podcast – Jim McCormick AgMarket.Net 12-28-22
Mosaic Company adds new biologicals: PowerCoat? & BioPath?
Times have certainly changed when it comes to how we keep our soil and plants healthy in our farming operations. Soil health has come to the forefront of agriculture just as much as plant health and animal health has. While you're giving your plants the nutrients they...
Technological advancements allow CLAAS combines to maximize performance
When harvesting crops, efficiency and effectiveness of harvesting equipment is of vital importance. After a growing season of ups and downs and trials and tribulations, farmers need reliable equipment that helps the operator in all aspects of harvest.That's Jeff Gray,...
