Top Stories
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-23-26)
Once again, the weather forecasts in South America are leaning more towards drier weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both Brazil and Argentina should see a lack of rain. McBride said that, once the El Nino weather pattern kicks in more, South America could see even more dry weather. Right now, however, the dry weather won’t impact much directly, as both Brazil and Argentina are going through harvest. McBride said harvest in Brazil is still in the very early stages. McBride...
Farmers are already feeling the impact of the expired farm bill
With no new farm bill in place after the 2018 farm bill deadline passed, there are already impacts on U.S. farmers and ranchers. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, outlined some of the programs that went away. Keiffer...
How has U.S. ag trade evolved in the last 100 years?
A lot has changed in the United States ag trade over the last century. USDA senior economist Sharon Sydow at this year’s ag outlook forum explains where the U.S. ag economy was 100 years ago. Price volatility, foreclosures, and high land values were all thorns in the...
U.S. hog inventory up slightly
The U.S. inventory of hogs and pigs on September 1, 2024, totaled 76.5 million head, up slightly from September 1, 2023, and two percent higher than June 1, 2024. Breeding inventory, at 6.04 million head, was down two percent from last year, but up one percent from...
Rural North Carolina reeling after Hurricane Helene
We are no stranger to storm damage in the Midwest. Hail, tornados, and derechos can wreak havoc on our acres. But for everything we deal with, except for the 2020 derecho, it is nothing compared to the strength of a hurricane. The Southeastern part of the country is...
Quarterly Grain Stocks report didn’t make much of an impact
The grain markets were positioned for an impactful Quarterly Grain Stocks report, but what we got today was simply a neutral and slightly positive report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers were friendly to the marketplace. McBride said the...
Partisan gridlock and the election could again delay farm, ag spending bills
Partisan gridlock and fallout from the November election could again force Congress to postpone key decisions for agriculture into 2025. It’s not just the farm bill, but USDA and other spending bills are also stuck in months of political gridlock in a narrowly divided...
Video
More Ag News
Short stature corn can unlock higher yields
It can still feel like a new product, but short stature corn has been in the market for decades now. As planting season gets nearer, farmers may want to consider this resilient and flexible corn hybrid. Myron Stine, president of Stine Seed, said they believe short...
Farm Bureau details another busy week in D.C.
Several hot topics are making waves in Washington, D.C. this week, and the American Farm Bureau Federation is keeping track of all of them. Just one month after a new Congress was sworn in and two weeks after a new President was inaugurated, our nation’s capital is...
Canada and Mexico tariffs delayed, Grassley voices concerns about potash imports
Last weekend President Trump announced a plan to implement 25% tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada. The tariffs have since been delayed for 30 days to allow for more time for negotiations. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that although he...
Cattle and bison imports resume from Mexico
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico. Those imports will resume in the next several days. To protect U.S. livestock and other animals, APHIS halted shipments of bison and cattle from...
Protect profits: Risk coverage still matters in cattle
Cattle prices may be riding high, but smart producers know the market can turn fast. While strong prices create optimism, they also bring risk—making now the perfect time to secure protection. Unexpected shifts in demand, weather, or input costs can quickly erode...
