From progress on the farm bill to new trade agreements and growing momentum for year-round E15, there’s been meaningful movement that shows agriculture’s priorities are being heard.

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture tipped the hat to female farmers at its winter policy conference.

House Ag Committee Chairman Glenn Thompson must not be a superstitious man. If he were, he would not have introduced the biggest bill of his congressional career, the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” on Friday the 13th.

For over 20 years, Doug Winter has been dedicated to representing and advocating on behalf of soybean growers at the state, national and international levels.

The difference between successful and less successful farming operations ultimately hinges on whether “we’re in this for the long term or short term.”

The wool sweaters, pants and jackets the USA Olympic team wore are stunning.

We’ve had several inquiries by folks wanting to get started since these sky-high prices, both beef and lamb, have shown the benefit of diversifying from the corn and bean doldrums.

Farmland values increased 2% in the last quarter of 2025 and were up 6% year-over-year in the 7th Federal Reserve District.

Improving farm drainage tiles in Illinois can be very challenging because most farmland is owned by absentee landowners rather than by the farmer.

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for a joint review July 1 — a critical moment that will determine whether the free trade agreement continues or terminates.

In a key win for U.S. pork producers, President Donald Trump has finalized a beneficial trade agreement with Taiwan, a direct result of the National Pork Producers Council’s long-fought effort to secure greater market access in the Asian nation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed in its supply and demand estimates report that corn demand continues to improve, but supplies remain plentiful.

An atypical note by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on what could have happened if China purchased more soybeans was featured in the supply and demand estimates report.

As president of Illinois Farm Bureau, Philip Nelson aims to provide impactful advocacy for farmers in the state.

The deadline for producers to sign up for the Dairy Margin Coverage program is Feb. 26.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has now sharply lowered its 2025 farm income outlook by $25 billion, reinforcing that this downturn is deeper and more persistent than many anticipated.

Farmers need stronger market returns, so income comes from selling commodities, not aid — and that means improving the farm safety net through a fully passed farm bill, strengthening trade demand, and addressing rising input costs, says Jim Henry.

Farmers and ranchers have been promised a “new” farm bill every year since before the “old” law expired Sept. 30, 2023.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program support.

As farmers across the state face mounting economic pressures, University of Illinois Extension reminds agricultural producers, advisers and families that free help is available wherever you are.

If growing corn is a religion among Midwestern farmers, its Vatican is somewhere in central Iowa.

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

University of Illinois Extension and Illinois Farm Bureau are partnering for a series to help farmers and landowners build, sustain and share their farm’s legacy.

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.

Now is the time to reform regulations that have hindered conservation efforts, strengthen protections against the spread of New World screwworm, expand foreign market access for U.S. beef and advance science-based policies that keep beef at the center of the plate.

The shop has been getting a workout with all the fix-it projects we had stacked up and the weather has been motivation to move most work indoors.

To any farmer who feels these frustrations, I want to begin my term as Indiana Corn Growers Association president by offering a hand of help and hope. You are not alone.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ new leadership team was seated at its annual meeting.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, but there are still some gaps.

For many farm families in Indiana, the farm represents both legacy and livelihood. Protecting valuable assets through insurance is essential, but high input costs and low commodity prices are adding strain to already tight farm budgets.

More than 200 farmers and agricultural professionals attended this year’s Top Farmer Conference.

China, the White House’s biggest tariff punching bag last year, purchased its promised 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans more than 45 days ahead of its agreed-upon deadline.

Agricultural economic conditions are largely unchanged from mid-November through early January, according to surveys conducted across Federal Reserve Districts in the Corn Belt.

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.

U.S. House leadership omitted a piece of the appropriations package that would permanently allow year-round sale of E15, choosing to create a rural energy council to explore this legislation.

Chinese automakers have been making inroads around the world with growing sales of their high-tech, stylish and affordable electric vehicles.

President Donald Trump signed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, allowing schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer students whole milk, 2% milk and flavored and unflavored options.

After over 20 years in business, Ropp Jersey Cheese made its final batch of cheese Jan. 26 and will close its retail store Feb. 7.

As farmers, we’re proud of the role we play in feeding America. All we ask is that nutrition policy recognizes the full picture — and that lawmakers remember you can’t build a healthy diet without a strong farm economy to support it.

Isn’t it time that consumers be allowed to choose the best beef in the world produced under the best of conditions?

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.

Indiana Farm Bureau Chief Economist Todd Davis analyzed the latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report and discussed implications for Hoosier farmers.

Auction innovations, leadership and operational strategies, state competitions, and fellowship will be featured as the Illinois State Auctioneers Association celebrates its 78th anniversary at the annual convention and trade show.

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.

The Bacon Bar and Brunch is the annual legislative breakfast for the Indiana Corn Growers Association and the Indiana Soybean Alliance’s Membership and Policy Committee.

The stage is set for tighter and potentially more volatile milk markets ahead, reports Jim Henry.

When farmers and ranchers come together, they don’t just talk about challenges — they get to work finding solutions.

Jim Henry calculates that the payments expected by the end of February are a needed step toward easing financial strain in the farm economy, but will not cover the full extent of row crop losses during this prolonged period of elevated costs, low crop prices and weak margins.

The amount of corn, soybeans and wheat remaining in bins increased year-over-year in the first quarter of the new marketing year.

A combination of higher beginning stocks and larger than expected production pushed up crop ending stocks in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s balance sheets.