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

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.

One of the things I’ve learned over my years in Farm Bureau is that policy doesn’t move forward on its own. It moves because people show up, build relationships and take the time to share their stories.

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 Soybean Board is looking for farmers interested in filling one of Illinois’ director positions with the United Soybean Board.

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

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association has opened applications for summer 2026 semester internships in the association’s headquarters in Colorado and office in Washington, D.C.

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.

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

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.

The president directing Congress to make a deal could be the key to finally getting new ethanol legislation passed after a decade-long fight, predicts Jim Henry.

At the North American International Auto Show, tires squeal as gearheads put shiny new vehicles through their paces on a pair of indoor tracks that sprawl across the event space.

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.

Soy foods align closely with the Dietary Guidelines’ emphasis on nutrient-dense, plant-based protein sources. They recognize foods such as tofu and tempeh for their protein content, as well as fermented soy foods like miso, which are valuable for gut health.

Indiana pork farmers are concerned about House Bill 1137, which would move our state toward food regulations similar to those used in Europe.

An Indiana bill aimed at restricting certain food additives in school meals is moving forward, drawing concern from agricultural groups like Farm Bureau which warn that the legislation could create higher costs, regulatory confusion and other problems.

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.

More than 100 Indiana FFA students traveled to the Statehouse to meet with lawmakers, participate in policy discussions and learn firsthand how state government works at the 2026 Advocacy Day.

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

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

More than 4,000 farmer and rancher Farm Bureau members gathered for the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention, held earlier this month in Anaheim, California.

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.

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.

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

The Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association’s interim president got his start with the organization as an intern collecting biomass samples in cover crop fields, as well as coordinating nitrogen rate trials and anhydrous safety training.

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.

Better health begins on your plate — the Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer a flexible, affordable and attainable framework meant to guide better choices, not dictate exact meals or drain a budget.

Many of the changes in the new food guidelines issued recently by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services were red meat to farmers and ranchers.

Today’s rock-bottom feed prices cancel out payments that would otherwise help us get through the struggles that too-low milk prices bring with them.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency announced the appointment of five leaders in agriculture to serve on the Illinois FSA state committee.

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

The standard mileage rate for the business use of a car, truck, van or other vehicle will increase by 2.5 cents in 2026.

Illinois Soybean Association is excited to celebrate outstanding individuals in agriculture through its annual Achievement Awards.

The Indiana Soybean Alliance is seeking farmer leaders to join its 24-member board responsible for investing Indiana’s soybean checkoff funds.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins signed a memorandum to establish priorities for this year’s research and development activities funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

U.S. corn exports continued at record pace through the end of 2025, while the future global demand potential for ethanol remains bright.

Rail and waterway transportation systems provide valuable assets for farmers.

Fresh from the farm. American grown. Those words bring to mind quality and value, thanks to the hardworking men and women across this country who are proud to be called farmers.

We hope this new push for healthy red meat will convince more folks to go find out that good food is good medicine.

This year will mark the 10th anniversary of R-CALF USA’s successful legal effort to reform, albeit partially, the government-mandated beef checkoff program.

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.

Farmers were less optimistic about the ag economy in December, especially when it came to their long-term outlook, according to the latest reading of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

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 outlook for the four pieces of the demand pies that drive corn and soybean prices is anticipated to include some growth and a wild card in 2026.