Illinois soybean farmers are once again the top producers of soybeans in the United States.

The U.S. cattle and beef industry enters 2026 with strong but volatile market conditions, as historically tight cattle supplies, record-setting beef demand and elevated policy and weather uncertainty continue to support prices, even as markets appear to near cyclical highs.

When it comes to highly pathogenic avian influenza, biosecurity is the key to mitigating the risk of disease spread.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced plans to distribute $3.6 million in fiscal year 2026 at the recent Everything Local Conference.

From buffalo wings and pizza to chips, queso, guacamole and salsa, farmers and ranchers across the country supply the ingredients that end up on millions of Super Bowl watch party tables, says Jim Henry.

The surprising 1.3 million harvested corn acre jump from the November to the Jan. 12 U.S. Department of Agriculture crop production reports, combined with record quarterly stocks inventories, drew more questions than answers.

A word of caution: Do not get between reality and political forces in Congress when Republicans and Democrats agree to spend more money on farm programs rather than reform the very programs that are failing farmers and rural America.

Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch broke ground on a new egg processing plant in Kendallville in northeast Indiana.

With cattle herds at historic lows and input costs high, Jim Henry predicts beef prices will remain elevated for the foreseeable future.

With lower grain prices, higher interest rates and increased production costs, some farms are facing a challenging financial situation.

The president didn’t return much affection to rural voters in 2025. Farm inputs, health care and food costs continued to rise; yo-yo tariff policies sliced ag exports; and cuts to several federal farm and rural programs clipped rural communities.

The current economic environment for farmers is challenging with tighter margins and more volatility.

Per-acre payment specifics for the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program were released on New Year’s Eve.

The Illinois Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force recently released its groundbreaking findings, revealing how the state can bolster its position as a national agricultural and biomanufacturing powerhouse.

Farmers say they are grateful to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

Working with a new administration during 2025 has been fast-paced and challenging for those dealing with regulatory and legislative policies.

Farmer Tyler Everett had the ultimate “seat at the table” with President Donald Trump.

A $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program to help farmers offset trade disruptions and increased production costs was announced by the Trump administration.

A new initiative designed to bridge the gap between farmers and partner companies who need their input will be rolled out in early 2026.

Farm families need lasting certainty, and we appreciate our partners in Washington for taking this important first step by delivering a $12 billion package. But the need is far greater.

Financial stress is severe and persistent across farm country, according to a new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Biofuels, like E15, are boosting farm businesses, improving the environment and reducing costs at the pump.

Jim Henry forecasts an unprecedented financial crisis, a perfect storm of soaring input costs and plummeting commodity prices.

The past few years have tested even the most seasoned farmers. Facing rising input costs, unpredictable market access and many other challenges, farmers and ranchers are working harder while margins grow thinner.

Brian Rexing, an Indiana dairy farmer and a member of the Dairy Farmers of America cooperative, was chosen as the National Milk Producers Federation’s 15th chairman at the organization’s Joint Annual Meeting.

As the fall harvest season comes to a close, farmers are carefully studying their balance sheets.

Agricultural conditions across the Corn Belt are strained in part due to concerns about China’s elimination of soybean purchases and low crop prices, according to a Federal Reserve survey.

Jim Henry shares some long-awaited positive trade news — a meaningful step to reestablishing a stable, long-term relationship with the world’s largest buyer of soybeans.

Indiana agriculture took center stage as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Everett Farms and Seed LLC in Lebanon ahead of her keynote address to the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis.

This federal shutdown could not come at a worse time for the farm economy.

Now is the time to rebuild our U.S. cattle industry — and a new tariff rate quotas system can help us do it.

Jim Henry laments that farmers are facing a difficult economy, as crop prices continue to decline and production expenses remain high.

Sustainea is investing $400 million to establish its first Bio-MEG monoethylene glycol industrial plant in Lafayette.

The sobering reality is that many farmers are hurting. Talk to any farmer who grows row crops, and he or she will tell you they’re struggling with the lowest prices in almost 20 years.

The recent reconciliation bill outlined important and pivotal changes for producers for the 2026 crop year.

The Purdue University Ag Economy Barometer fell 10 points to a reading of 125 — the third month of declines.

Jim Henry cautions that farmers are contending with a combination of lower commodity prices and rising interest rates.

Jim Henry analyzes how land values are still rising, but a slowing pace signals the market is cooling

This year’s U.S. corn exports show just how upside down the ag export picture is for farmers and ranchers.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer met privately in the Oval Office with President Donald Trump to make a case he did not want to hear: the automotive industry he said he wants to save were being hurt by his tariffs.

The Trump administration is suing the state of California to block animal welfare laws that it says unconstitutionally helped send egg prices soaring.

One of the great honors of my role as American Farm Bureau Federation president is sharing the stories of farmers and ranchers from across this country with leaders who are making decisions that directly impact our work, our families and our livelihoods.

Four companies have been selected for the inaugural cohort for the Midwest Dairy Accelerator — an intensive eight-week virtual initiative designed to accelerate the next generation of dairy forward food and beverage entrepreneurs.

American Agri-Women’s 30th Symposium was held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington.

Farming is an uncertain business. Farmers and ranchers received some certainty, however, with the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

Water quality is directly connected to human and economic health, and an organization is working to reduce nutrient loss through education and advocacy.

Farmer optimism about the ag economy improved in April, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Farmers were less optimistic about the agriculture economy in March due to trade and farm policy concerns, according to the latest reading of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Expectations a year ago that farmland prices have plateaued became reality through 2024 — and farm managers and rural appraisers expect more of the same this year.

Across the country this morning, men and women in every region and every state are rising to grow the food, fiber and renewable fuel Americans depend on.