Markets

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

Free trade dogma suggests that more imports benefit consumers by affording them more choices and lower prices. Let’s see if this holds true in the U.S. beef market.

The Trump administration may grant U.S. agriculture special exemptions from parts of its ever-changing tariff regime, but it can’t exempt it from everyday economic reality.

Corn and soybean stocks halfway through the marketing year were headed in different directions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s quarterly grain stocks report.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture opened its monthly supply and demand estimates report with a caveat.

To paraphrase Forrest Gump, spring is like a box of chocolate — you never know what you’re going to get.

“I” state farmers intend to plant more corn and fewer soybeans this spring compared to last year, according to a prospective plantings report.

Beyond a comprehensive look at farmland values, the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ annual report also features other tidbits of interest in each Prairie State region.

The animals are smelling green grass and are tired of eating their winter vittles. The rye looks great, but the cool temps have slowed its growth enough that I have decided to delay the usual turnout a few days.

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.

The current political news brings concerning thoughts about the economic future of farming as we are faced with higher interest rates, lower grain prices and import markets at risk due to trade wars and tariffs.

With over 90% of the business wholesale, nearly every day is delivery day for Ken Ropp. “I spend a majority of the time on the road,” said the Ropp Jersey Cheese proprietor.

R-CALF USA is aggressively pursuing tariffs for cattle, sheep, beef and lamb. And it seems we’re the only national livestock association that is doing so.

The futures market is reacting as expected with all this tariff news creating plenty of uncertainty which usually trends lower as most players look to eliminate risk.

We have faced several consecutive days over a six-state area where there have been multiple tornados causing damage, a lot of rain, lightning, hail and serious flooding and washouts of roads and bridges.

Plant-based and lab-grown protein products enjoyed a moment in the sun several years ago, but it didn’t take long for the free market to kick in and push these companies down a very steep decline.

Vegetation management is a vital part of the development plan for solar arrays since shade is the No. 1 enemy for collecting sunlight by the panels.

Crop protection tools — including widely popular glyphosate-based herbicides — are critical for weed control and providing an ample and affordable food supply. That is the prevailing sentiment in a survey from the Modern Ag Alliance.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released the estimated acres for corn and soybeans to be planted. The report indicates a substantial reduction in intended soybean plantings for 2025.

Prospective planting and quarterly grain stock numbers released March 31 were at or near expectations and primarily already priced into the market.

Indiana and U.S. farmers intend to plant more corn and fewer soybean acres this year compared to 2024, according to Indiana Farm Bureau’s Chief Economist Todd Davis, who analyzed the recent Prospective Plantings report.

The major car companies say sales rose sharply in March, with most reporting double-digit gains. For some companies, the strong performance last month helped make up for a sluggish start to the year.

President Donald Trump’s tariff blitz has sent shock waves throughout every aspect of the global economy, including the auto sector, where multibillion-dollar plans to electrify in the United States are especially at risk.

Illinois cattlemen have an abundant supply of low-cost feed available for their herds with the millions of acres of corn grown each year in the state.

The multiyear streak of farmland value increases ended in 2024, according to a report by the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.

Agricultural economic conditions remained relatively weak across the Corn Belt, driven by concerns over drought conditions, trade, balance sheets and the lack of farm bill clarity.

AgriNovus hosted Gov. Mike Braun at its Quadrant event to discuss opportunities in Indiana’s food and agriculture sector, the economy and other pressing issues.

Tight supplies of cattle and resilient demand for beef are expected to support fed steer prices this year, according to projections at the Agricultural Outlook Forum.

Hog prices are projected to increase as strong domestic and export demand is expected to carry over from 2024.

When Ken Ropp returned to the family farm in 2000, milk prices were at a then-all-time high and the prospect of him joining in the family dairy business was bright. Six months later, milk prices were at record lows.

A new twist in a sugar cookie recipe was among the numerous samples showcasing locally-grown food during the Illinois Product Expo at the state fairgrounds’ Orr Building.

Indiana’s agriculture organizations teamed up to bring the farm to Indianapolis on National Agriculture Day.

The National Farmers Union held its 123rd annual convention in Oklahoma, where members finalized the organization’s upcoming policy priorities.

Farmers who are already struggling to make a profit are being furthered burdened by high tax rates on land.

In the seven weeks that global markets and U.S. farmers have been living in the uncertain trade world of the Trump administration, prices for most American ag exports have headed south faster than a Canada goose in late October.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s supply and demand estimates report opened with a note due to the current fluidity of trade and tariff policies.

It is difficult — for some, even impossible — to create a strong financial foundation for the future when most of your money must go toward bills and debt.

The U.S. sheep industry reveals what happens when our nation ignores market failure for too long, and it’s a case study applicable to every livestock sector in America.

Economists from Purdue University discussed the role of technology in improving farm profitability at the 2025 Commodity Classic.

This year is shaping up to be another difficult year for corn and soybean growers. When production budgets don’t pencil out, it may be time to investigate interest-slashing financing offers.

We continue to have lamb customers since March is Ramadan and they come out before, during and after that holiday, and they all want eggs, too, but our supply was limited until just this week when I was able to get some hens from a fellow emptying his barn.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture held its 2025 Winter Policy Conference. Members adopted 16 policy amendments and 10 action items.

If it’s Tuesday, the White House’s long-promised tariffs against Canada and Mexico are on again, but if it’s Thursday, they — well, many that its Big Biz backers don’t want — are off again. No, wait.

I saw robins, snow geese and green grass all in the same frame last week — it must be spring!

In reviewing my February writing, I realize that quite a few things actually were finished or at least started in the last month — I am pleased to report that!

As March hit, we finally got some relief on the weather and had some nice days that first week. February stayed ugly until the end and muddy, muddy, muddy.

There were no changes in the U.S. corn and soybean balance sheets for the second straight month, despite expectations for higher corn exports and lower domestic soybean use.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is issuing up to $10 billion directly to agricultural producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year.

R-CALF USA welcomes the 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican beef and cattle — and we want more.