Political dysfunction, a healthy ag economy, lack of urgency and the start of a presidential election year. These are all reasons leading agricultural economists to cast doubts on Congress’ ability to pass a new Farm Bill this year, as well as anticipate a strong possibility the legislation will...

While global fertilizer use dropped 7% in 2022, Rabobank analysts estimate an increase in usage by 3% for 2023. On the pricing side, Rabobank forecasts a positive outlook for fertilizer purchasing through 2024. 

Placements of cattle into U.S. feedlots were up sharply since September. The USDA says September 2023 placements were 2.206 million head, above pre-report expectations and up 6% from September 2022. Those cattle will be marketed starting early next year.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), along with the U.S. Grains Council, plus wheat, soybean and other commodity groups, applauded Secretary Tom Vilsack's announcement that his agency is releasing $1.3 billion in funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support trade promotion to...

Grilled cheese is a staple food for children across America, but two Wisconsin brothers decided to take their version of grilled cheese sandwich to the next level.

U.S. corn and soybean production are down from September 2022, according to the Crop Production report issued by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Corn production is down 10% from last year, forecast at 15.1 billion bushels; soybean growers are expected to decrease their...

Few news items in the ag media enjoyed the endurance of the discovery that Chinese owners have amassed nearly 400,000 acres of U.S. farmland.

Minnesota has confirmed its first fall case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock of 140,000 birds in Meeker County. Samples were confirmed positive by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa. The site is quarantined, and the birds on...

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning have become increasingly important in the digital transformation of various industries, including agriculture. A recent study conducted by global digital transformation consultancy, Kin + Carta, reveals that nearly half (43 percent) of agricultural...

The Economic Research Service (ERS) of USDA released an update on the recent trends in the adoption of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the U.S. Commercial planting of GE crops started in the U.S. in 1996. The adoption rates of GE seeds increased rapidly in the succeeding years. Most of the GE...

A farm real estate specialist suggests there could be another rally in farmland prices. Tim Meyer is a site leader and realtor with Steffes Group. “This land market is a long way from going down. We’re steady to even maybe a bump higher between now and the end of the year.”

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's (AEM) monthly Report, the sale of all tractors during September 2023 in the U.S. were down 4% from the same month last year. A total of 21,480 tractors were sold which compares to 21,712 sold in 2022.For the month, two-wheel drive smaller...

A fertilizer expert is concerned that already volatile fertilizer and energy markets could get worse because of war and trade policy.

America’s largest retail store has announced its plans to build a $350 million milk processing plant in Valdosta, Georgia. With more than 4,600 stores located throughout the U.S., the Arkansas-based company says the new plant will provide milk to more than 750 Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in...

E15 has been a tent pole for many legislators around the Midwest, but with delays in year-round approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the impact still feels hypothetical to some in the industry.