Markets

Farmers were less optimistic about the ag economy in June, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, which dropped 12 points.

With the record prices being paid for fat cattle I am trying to get them to eat and gain as fast as possible so we can take advantage of this crazy-high cattle market.

By having the HeatSiecker patches on this year, it allowed for digital alerts of estrus and not having to spend as much time visually observing the cows in person.

With data from the recent survey-based acreage and grain stocks reports, the U.S. Department of Agriculture lowered new corn and soybean production estimates in its supply and demand estimates report.

U.S. winter wheat production was forecast lower in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop production report.

At a glance, the July agricultural supply and demand estimates report looked positive for the market with lower than expected ending stocks, but the trade thought otherwise.

The recent U.S. and Israeli bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities had an immediate impact on the domestic economy, including costs associated with agricultural fertilizer.

Identifying their business goal will help cattlemen determine where to allocate dollars in their operation.

Although Elaina and Garrett Fales have no farming background, they have developed a cut flower production farm that markets primarily to florists.

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

“I” state farmers switched to more corn and less soybean planted acres, the U.S. Department of Agriculture found in its June planted acres survey.

An end of the third quarter snapshot of grain stocks were rolled out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

A pair of crop reports fell primarily in line with trade expectations as the market turned its focus toward weather in the last quarter of the marketing year.

Shares of General Motors rose before the opening bell after announcing plans to invest $4 billion to shift some production from Mexico to U.S. manufacturing plants as the automaker navigates tariffs that could drive prices higher.

Budget reconciliation legislation that includes farm safety net enhancements, higher reference prices and biofuel tax credits was approved by Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Agriculture leaders voiced support for the massive spending and tax package bill that includes significant new farm program funding.

As another large dust storm impacted Illinois, the conversation and questions continue about why and how to get the dust to settle and stay in the field rather than across roadways.

A Wisconsin dairy farmer alleged in a federal lawsuit that the Trump administration is illegally denying financial assistance to white farmers by continuing programs that favor minorities.

The U.S. pork industry is charting a new course to engage with American consumers and boost domestic demand as trade policy and global market dynamics threaten the pace of export sales.

The United States has the ability to produce nearly everything on grocery store shelves. That’s pretty remarkable.

Government, of course, has dozens of ways to indirectly impact ag markets.

Corn Belt agricultural conditions ranged from weak to slightly favorable in the latest Federal Reserve’s Beige Book.

If you’re in charge of reversing American agriculture’s three-years-old-and-growing trade deficit, your list of options is as limited as it is unworkable.

Farmers truly share a bond, no matter where we live or what we grow and raise.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a rule that Biden-era fuel economy standards for gas-powered cars and trucks are illegal and moved to reverse them, paving the way for a likely reset of rules.

President Donald Trump signed a resolution that blocks California’s first-in-the-nation rule banning the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035.

American farmers take the responsibility of providing a safe food supply to heart because we know that food security means national security.

Hoosiers are paying an average of $71.49 for a cookout feeding 10 people this summer, or $7.15 per person — a 5% increase compared to last year, according to a survey from Indiana Farm Bureau.

Incorporating cover crops into their regenerative farming system has been a learning process for the Riskedal family this spring.

America’s certified organic acreage fell almost 11% between 2019 and 2021. Many farmers have been asking: Is organic farming just a word?

Effective grain management is key to overcoming summer challenges, helping farmers preserve grain quality while giving them the flexibility to sell when market conditions are most favorable.

Farmer sentiment improved for the second consecutive month in May, reaching its highest level since May 2021.

A proposed rule to establish required Renewable Fuel Standard volumes and percentage standards for 2026 and 2027 was announced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Purdue University researchers now have developed an innovative, paper-based diagnostic test for rapidly detecting avian influenza, the main cause of recent high egg prices.

A wise-old rancher told me last year, “I can lead you to knowledge, but I can’t make you think.”

June is the beginning of grilling season and that’s been great for beef demand. If more of you would try lamb chops or lamb kabobs on the grill maybe we could see similar results in the lamb market.

The National Pork Board invites consumers to “Taste What Pork Can Do” in a new campaign designed to deliver a message: Pork delivers taste, flavor, balanced nutrition and versatility.

Consumers seem confident in their ability to identify healthy foods and understand that what they eat directly influences their overall health.

The price increases we might see because of the expected tariffs make this a good time to get used to hunting for senior discounts on all the goods and services we need and want.

Despite all his accolades and achievements, Dwight D. Eisenhower remained modest and plainspoken.

I cannot emphasize enough how wet it is in southern Illinois. The row crop guys were able to jump in and get some planting done, but may be wishing they hadn’t.

This cattle market is crazy good and has me wondering how long it can last.

The Illinois Grazing Lands Coalition has worked successfully through the tension of whether it would still have grant funds for events after the days of DOGE.

The recently released MAHA report was the work product of the commission established by President Donald Trump’s executive order to “Make America Healthy Again.”

President Donald Trump’s doubling of tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum could hit Americans in an unexpected place: grocery aisles.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited Rome during a recent trade delegation to advocate for American market access.

Our independent cattle and sheep industries have been steaming along through history as if they were without a strategic vision — rudderless and directionless.

In an effort to expand the availability of fresh, locally-grown produce and strengthen the competitiveness of the state’s specialty crop industry, the Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to distribute more than $679,000 over a three-year period.

It was a mixed bag of victories and losses for locally produced food and conservationist efforts when the Illinois General Assembly passed its $55.2 billion fiscal year 2026 budget.

Ninety-nine people from 19 countries graduated from the Soybean Oil Masters program this year, an event designed by the U.S. Soybean Export Council and the Indiana Soybean Alliance.