Today’s higher fuel prices will be the norm regardless when, or even if, a U.S.-Iran ceasefire comes together, say market experts.

An overwhelming majority of America’s farmers who responded to a nationwide survey say they cannot afford to purchase enough fertilizer to get them through the year.

There’s heightened concern across the Corn Belt due to the surge in fertilizer and fuel prices, combined with a volatile commodity market.

Land in the Midwest is not just dirt. It’s legacy, livelihood and, increasingly, a line in the sand.

A commodity brokerage firm’s farmer survey indicates a shift toward more soybean acres in 2026.

Wheat, corn and soybean season-average price projects were increased slightly in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s balance sheets.

Despite strong demand pace, an expected increase in corn exports wasn’t reflected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s supply and demand estimates report.

Cattle, sheep and goat prices are at record or near record levels and fundamentally should remain that way for some time to come.

U.S. producers intend to plant 3% less corn acres and 4% more soybean acres this spring, according to the prospective planting report March 31.

Southern Illinois planters began rolling in the latter half of March after an extended stretch of warm, dry conditions.

Thirteen Illinois Farm Bureau members and agricultural professionals graduated from the Agricultural Leaders of Tomorrow program, an extensive leadership development program designed to help participants develop leadership and advocacy skills.

Charlie Meier is quick to point out that had it not been for his involvement with FFA and 4-H as a youngster, he would not be a state representative.

Precision Conservation Management has been selected as a recipient of funding through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Conservation Partners Program, part of $8.7 million awarded nationwide to support on-the-ground conservation efforts.

You drive past or in the fields and lots where we are calving and there are babies running around, enjoying their surroundings and their new playmates.

Year-over-year corn, soybean and wheat stocks are higher halfway through the marketing year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prospective planting survey indicated farmers aren’t making as large of a shift toward more soybeans and less corn acres as expected — but with a caveat.

Twelve Illinois counties averaged triple-digit wheat yields in 2025, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Seven Indiana counties had triple-digit winter wheat yield averages in 2025.

Chad Bell is working on a variety of projects during the transition time from winter and getting ready for the spring planting season.

Tennessee farmer Todd Littleton expects to pay $100,000 more for fertilizer this season, a 40% spike from his bill last year thanks to the war in Iran — and he is scrambling to cover that extra cost.

Warm and dry this early is both a bad combination and a bad omen.

Agricultural economic conditions are mostly flat since mid-January across the Corn Belt’s Federal Reserve Districts, according to a survey.

When we drone seeded clover on the wheat last February it had just a little green, but I was hoping it would soon look better and it does.

Changing feeds in dairy cow transition diets can help reduce costs.

Military action in the Middle East has disrupted critical shipments of fertilizer and oil as farmers head toward planting.

With two potential supply and demand movers slated for the end of the month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s March 10 balance sheets were unchanged as expected.

Other than a nickel increase in the projected average wheat price and tweaks in the global supplies, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s crop balance sheets were mostly unchanged in the March estimates.

Crude oil prices, like it or not, often shape the world’s economies and geo-politics.

Ultimately, federal taxpayer-funded payments are not a match for the tough reality of lost demand or damaged markets.

A little moisture is all it takes to get folks thinking spring has arrived.

I know a lot of people were thinking, and maybe rightfully so, that our region could use moisture. I beg to differ.

Thirteen Illinois Farm Bureau members traveled to Mexico to strengthen agricultural ties and gather insight on trade ahead of the upcoming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Raising livestock is an important way for Chad Bell to diversify his farming operation in western Illinois.

Results of the third annual Illinois Ag Retail Survey found conservation practices are gradually increasing across the Prairie State.

An acreage swing toward more soybeans and less corn in the upcoming growing season is forecast by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Hoosier net farm income is projected to decline sharply in 2026 after rebounding in 2025, according to the latest Indiana Farm Outlook Report from Purdue University and the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center.

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.

Growing winter forage can improve water quality, reduce soil erosion, add organic matter, break up compaction and provide livestock feed.

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.

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.

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.

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

My grandfather taught me that if something has been good to you, it’s your responsibility to give back to it and leave things better than you found them.

Heirloom and ancient grains are grown on Hazzard Free Farm without any chemical pesticides.

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

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

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.