Farmers were optimistic about the agricultural economy in August, according to the latest Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer survey.

Farmland prices have remained “flat to modestly lower” since the first of the year, according to the Mid-Year Snapshot Survey conducted by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Wind and solar farms, data centers and battery storage sites have been in the headlines, and farm managers were surveyed to find the extent of the growth.

There isn't one lease that's always best. The right structure depends on how much risk you're willing to take and how much upside you're trying to capture.

Higher values strengthen farm balance sheets and provide landowners with additional equity and collateral, but they also raise the cost of buying, renting and expanding an operation.

Mark Legan, owner of Legan Livestock and Grain, received the AgriVision Award at the Indiana State Fair.

Farmers and ranchers who own land will have a stronger balance sheet thanks to increased values, but there are still pros and cons to the cost of farmland going up, says Jim Henry.

Building a farm takes a lifetime, but losing it can take one unfinished plan.

Members of the first-place winners of the 2026 Legacy Farm Family Award are involved with farming operations located in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.

Overall agricultural conditions in the Corn Belt continue to be dampened by lower commodity prices, higher input costs and tighter credit.

Farmland values in the Midwest were flat in the second quarter of 2026 compared to a year ago, according to a 7th Federal Reserve District report.

Illinois Soybean Association and Illinois Soybean Growers brought together members of the Mexican Consulate and Illinois General Assembly for a discussion highlighting the value of Illinois soybeans, strong trade relations and the impact Illinois farmers have across the world.

For many of us whose roots run deep on a family farm, land isn’t just an asset. It provides food, supports wildlife, filters water and tells the story of generations who have cared for it.

Public lands offer quality grazing grounds for livestock, which in turn reduces wildfire risk and contributes to the vitality of rural communities across the West.

A corn crib, which carries a bit of history itself, was given a fresh coat of paint when Mike Fogarty decided to add a special touch.

Soy buyers from several countries took advantage of the opportunity to see soybeans growing on an Illinois farm during a tour of Ryan Frieders’ farm.

Elevated production costs may be limiting agricultural producers’ willingness or ability to expand, says Jim Henry.

Proactive farm estate and succession planning ensures agricultural legacies survive across generations.

Farm growth expectations vary among U.S. farms, and those expectations appear to be linked to how producers view their financial position, investment opportunities and the broader outlook for agriculture.

After three months of declines, the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rose in July from 113 to 126.

On-farm tile monitoring provides data to researchers that shows losses of nutrients is not simply an overapplication of fertilizer.

Farmers for Soil Health, the farmer-led initiative launched in 2022 to double cover crop acres on U.S. farmland by 2030, has reopened enrollment for 2026 with increased per-acre payments and a simplified one-year contract designed to remove barriers for growers.

Hauling water across rugged landscapes has become a daily chore for many ranchers in the U.S. Rockies.

Geswein Farm & Land earned national recognition from the National Auction Association, taking home the Real Estate Brochure award and receiving Campaign of the Year honors during NAA’s 77th International Auction Conference & Show.

Spraying for weeds in corn and soybean fields has been completed on Cliff Lane’s farm and the next task will be spraying the crops with fungicide.

Hoosiers planted an estimated 1.58 million acres of cover crops, according to survey results from Indiana Conservation Partnership.

Few phrases in rural America carry more weight than eminent domain.

The national debt’s influence reaches into nearly every corner of our economy.

Despite the fluctuation in available funding, farmers are still encouraged to utilize the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Farmer sentiment dropped again in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer Index declined from 119 points in May to 113 points in June.

Continued low prices, government subsidy programs and high input costs will continue to weigh on farmer profitability and their ability to maintain current cash rents. These factors will all be important to consider when 2027 rents are negotiated in the fall of 2026.

The use of AI in agriculture has potential to enhance efficiency through precision agriculture, optimize resource use and improved production.

The ag real estate market is showing signs of softening in 2026, said Howard Halderman, president and CEO of Halderman Farm Management and Real Estate Services, during a recent webinar.

Not separating family dynamics from business realities can cause fractures when it comes to succession planning on family farms, experts said during a webinar hosted by Halderman Real Estate and Farm Management.

With the updated data from the latest quarterly grain stocks and acreage reports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture made some slight adjustments in the crop balance sheets.

At a time when commodity prices remain under pressure and margins are already thin, higher operating expenses will place additional strain on farm viability, reports Jim Henry.

The United States is the world’s largest producer and exporter of corn. But that global market — and corn superpower status — is not guaranteed.

An expected large shift away from corn acres didn’t happen, based on a planted acres survey of farmers by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

After spring planting is complete, agricultural producers in Illinois should make an appointment with their local Farm Service Agency county office to complete crop acreage reports before the applicable deadline of July 15.

Agricultural operations in Illinois have been significantly impacted by recent severe weather and tornadoes.

The latest projections highlight the challenges farmers continue to face as input costs remain elevated with historically low commodity prices.

Families celebrating the Fourth of July holiday with a cookout will find that prices at the grocery store closely reflect inflation increases over the last year, reports Jim Henry.

The history of the United States is written in every row of crops, pasture and dairy barn from sea to sea.

Data centers create both economic opportunities and resource pressures, particularly around land, water and energy.

Four Indiana FFA members were named Stars over Indiana at the state convention, an honor for their had work in and outside of the classroom.

Agricultural conditions were unchanged or declined in most of the Federal Reserve Districts, while cost pressures intensified from fuel and fertilizer spikes.

A look at women whose contributions significantly shaped agriculture — trailblazers at the national, state or local level — is illuminating.

The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined from 121 in April to 119 in May, driven primarily by worsening views of current conditions on the farm.

State lawmakers approved a $55.9 billion budget that included current-level funding for the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

State funding appropriations for Soil and Water Conservation Districts were kept at current levels for the third consecutive year, while legislation to create a sustainable funding source for the agency stalled.