Mark Gebhards, retired Illinois Farm Bureau executive director of governmental affairs and commodities division and chief strategy officer and adviser to the IFB president, was honored with the IFB 2025 Eagle Award for Excellence.

The Illinois Farm Bureau Young Leader Committee elected Garrett Williams of Richland County as its 2026 chair and Michael Bernhard of Kendall-Grundy as vice chair.

Jim Henry diagnoses that a new program touted to give $50 billion in federal funds to rural hospitals won’t necessarily keep the vital medical centers from closing.

Farmers say they are grateful to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

Clean water is essential for every farmer and rancher; we depend on it every day. That’s why we’re encouraged to see the new proposed rule from the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers.

Working with a new administration during 2025 has been fast-paced and challenging for those dealing with regulatory and legislative policies.

Per-acre payment specifics for the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program were released on New Year’s Eve.

The long days, unpredictable weather, volatile markets and rising input costs rarely factor into conversations at the grocery store or the checkout line.

The best action we could take in the coming year to better serve all Americans — farmers, ranchers and every food buyer — is to simply stop digging the deepening hole we’re already in.

It’s fair to say that 2025 has been a year of meaningful progress for agriculture, on top of some very big challenges. Farm Bureau helped farmers and ranchers across the country navigate the roller coaster ride.

Farmers were more optimistic about the ag economy in November, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

Sixteen states and the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration for what they say is the unlawful withholding of over $2 billion in funding for two electric vehicle charging programs.

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.

Don’t let the prospect of ad hoc government support payments sway crop marketing plans in the current window of opportunities, according to an agricultural economist.

President Donald Trump announced plans to weaken rules for how far automakers’ new vehicles need to travel on a gallon of gasoline, set under former President Joe Biden.

These were the most read stories on the AgriNews website in 2025.

Illinois Farmers Union on Jan. 27 will hold its annual meeting where family farmers and ranchers from across the state will gather for a day of educational programming and policy discussion.

In addition to growing food organically, Marty Travis works with numerous Illinois farmers to provide marketing and distribution services that connect them to numerous buyers.

The marketplace, from the cattle producer all the way to the consumer, is fundamentally broken, and the only time it functions properly is when it is confronted with a significant market shock.

As 2025 draws to a close, Jim Henry looks back on some of the key moments that shaped the year in agriculture.

The Illinois Alternative Protein Innovation Task Force recently released its groundbreaking findings, revealing how the state can bolster its position as a national agricultural and biomanufacturing powerhouse.

Biofuels remain a cornerstone of U.S. agriculture, supporting crop prices, rural jobs and energy security.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a proposed rule revising the regulatory definition of “waters of the U.S.” intended to resolve the regulatory uncertainty regarding the scope of federal jurisdiction.

Agriculture’s economic conditions, trade and uncertainty in the ethanol market were among the topics of focus at the Illinois Corn Growers Association annual meeting.

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a $700 million Regenerative Pilot Program aimed at helping American farmers adopt practices that improve soil health, enhance water quality and boost long-term productivity, all while strengthening America’s food and fiber supply.

Farmer Tyler Everett had the ultimate “seat at the table” with President Donald Trump.

A $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program to help farmers offset trade disruptions and increased production costs was announced by the Trump administration.

At the 2025 Indiana Ag Gathering held at the French Lick Springs Resort, the Indiana Farm Bureau delegate body reelected INFB Vice President Kendell Culp of Jasper County.

President Donald Trump accused foreign-owned meat packers of driving up the price of beef in the United States and asked the Department of Justice to open an investigation.

Expanding demand to bring profitability back to corn farmers while being “at the table” working with legislators remains top priorities for the National Corn Growers Association.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will conduct the 2025 Organic Survey.

Developing a thriving soybean market in Africa doesn’t just represent a new crop in the rotation for smallholder farmers — it builds an entire ecosystem of seed companies, processors and trade partners ready to enter the global soybean market.

Jim Henry expects $12 billion relief package to make an immediate impact by providing a lifeline for farmers who work to ensure a healthy, safe and abundant food supply.

To truly experience the Trump tariff rollercoaster, hop on the ear-popping ride American cattlemen, meatpackers and U.S. beef eaters have been on over the past few months.

The Illinois Pork Producers Association announced new economic impact findings showing that pork production in Illinois generates more than $373 million in total tax revenue, underscoring the vital role pig farmers play in supporting local communities, strengthening the state eco

About 46 million to 47 million bushels of corn grown within roughly a 50-mile radius are used annually to produce ethanol at One Earth Energy.

Farmer and agribusiness members of the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council’s A-Teams continue to work diligently to develop new markets globally.

There was so much blarney and puffery flying around the Cabinet Room during the White House farmer and rancher gathering Dec. 8 that it became impossible to tell fact from fiction.

Farm families need lasting certainty, and we appreciate our partners in Washington for taking this important first step by delivering a $12 billion package. But the need is far greater.

The American Soybean Association, U.S. Soybean Export Council and ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health expressed strong support for the America First Trade Promotion Program recently announced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

The Trump administration’s latest move to enforce standards for commercial truck drivers, by flagging nearly half of the driving schools as noncompliant, doesn’t figure to disrupt the industry, experts say. But the heavy scrutiny on immigrant drivers might.

China is replacing its diesel trucks with electric models faster than expected, potentially reshaping global fuel demand and the future of heavy transport.

Philip Nelson is looking forward to getting to work after delegates at the Illinois Farm Bureau Annual Meeting elected him president to lead the organization for the next two years.

As winter approaches, land values appear poised to hold steady, according to a webinar hosted by Halderman Real Estate Services.

The Social Security Administration’s annual cost-of-living adjustment will go up by 2.8% in 2026, but some seniors say the new COLA won’t help much in their ability to pay for their daily expenses.

A new information hub was launched this fall to highlight the importance of women in agriculture.

If you’re shopping for a new family pet this holiday season, beware of scams.

Dozens of farmers drove their tractors in a caravan to Mexico City and blocked an entrance to Mexico’s Congress to protest a new national water law that imposes stricter controls on water use.

Financial stress is severe and persistent across farm country, according to a new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation.