Author: staff

What Happened Low prices for row crop farmers and higher input costs have had a material impact on farmers’ bottom lines as well as mental health. According to the most recent USDA Economic Research Service report, net farm income is forecast at $140.7 billion for 2024, down 4.1% (or $6 billion) from the previous year. When adjusted for inflation, net farm income is projected to decline $9.5 billion. Why This Is Important First, it is important for farmers to understand that they are not alone in their economic struggles. Second, it is also important for those who associate with farmers…

Every year, a lot of really interesting tractors show up on Tractor Zoom that I never get to write about. There’s only so many hours in the day, you know? With over 700 auctioneer partners and close to 1,400 dealer locations, it happens more frequently than I’d like. This year, we’ve seen more machinery changing hands than ever before, but a lot of it was newer stuff and inventory reduction auctions. There was still quite a bit of interesting stuff, and they deserve some love too. Here’s a few that stuck out to me that never got the attention they…

By Cami Koons Pathologists said in a press conference Friday they are encouraged by laboratory preparedness for a potential outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, but are worried about the number of infected animals and the ability of the virus to mutate.   The College of American Pathologists press conference followed a week of new developments with the virus, H5N1, including the first severe case detected in a human in the U.S. and a state of emergency declared in California, where a large number of dairy cows have been infected. Ben Bradley, a part of the college’s microbiology committee and an assistant professor in…

The National Corn Growers Association said that producers earned a major victory today in the long-running dispute with Mexico over genetically engineered corn trade. The organization reported that a dispute panel ruled that Mexico violated its commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement when it issued a decree that banned genetically modified corn imports. The decision was met with praise from the NCGA and other corn grower advocates who had called on the United States Trade Representative to file the dispute. “This is an incredible development for the nation’s corn growers and rural communities,” said Illinois farmer and NCGA President Kenneth…

On Friday a trade dispute panel ruled that Mexico’s restrictions on U.S. exports of genetically modified corn violate the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA panel agreed with the United States on all seven legal claims, finding that Mexico’s measures are not based on science and undermine the market access that Mexico agreed to provide in the USMCA. Agriculture industry groups and government officials celebrated the outcome in statements published reacting to the news. USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack “We commend the dispute settlement panel for its thorough and impartial assessment, which affirms that Mexico’s approach to biotechnology was not based on…

The majority of Brazil has seen below-average precipitation as it nears the end of its first-crop corn and soybean planting season.  According to a report by the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Brazil soybean production for the 2024/2025 marketing year is forecast at 169 million metric tons, up 16 million metric tons from last year.  USDA David Tolleris, meteorologist and owner of wxrisk.com, said that a wet pattern is predicted for parts of Brazil in the next two weeks. He said the second week shows northern São Paulo receiving up to 12 inches of…

By Leah Douglas and Tom Polansek Dec 20 (Reuters) – U.S. wholesale egg prices are shattering records as an accelerating outbreak of bird flu in laying hens slashes supplies while shoppers buy more to bake Christmas cookies and other holiday treats. The increases hit consumers already grappling with stubborn inflation and bracing for potentially higher prices on a broad range of items if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on plans to slap tariffs on goods from China and Mexico. Wholesale prices for large eggs reached $5.57 per dozen in the Midwest on Wednesday, up 150% from a year ago and topping the previous record of $5.46 from…

Climate change — laced with research, politics, and economic impact — is a divisive issue across society. One of the most significant touch points in the climate debate is the increase in wildfires across the U.S. and around the globe.  According to the North Carolina-based National Centers for Environmental Information, the month of October 2024 saw the most wildfires in October 2000, with a year total of 7,992,195 acres burned. And in a recent report, software and analysis company IMPLAN showed wildfires in California and Washington state alone could cost the U.S. more than $89 billion in lost output. In…

March corn is up 3¼¢ this morning. USDA announced this morning that Colombia is buying 150,000 metric tons of corn for the 2024/2025 marketing year. March soybeans are up 8¢. March wheat contracts are mixed this morning. CBOT wheat is down 1¾¢. KC wheat is down less than a penny. Minneapolis wheat is up 1½¢. “Dec. 21 (the winter equinox) marks the official start of winter,” said Bob Linneman, commodities broker at Kluis Commodity Advisors. “As with the summer equinox (June 20), we are always watching for an extreme in prices around these equinox dates. Are we etching a major…

The World Ag Expo, one of the year’s most notable farm and ranch trade show, has chosen the winners of its 2025 Top-10 New Products Contest. These 10 winners will be featured at the expo February 11 to 13, 2025, in Tulare, California. The field of new products was submitted by exhibitors, showcasing innovations ranging from simple solutions to advanced technologies. The competition was evaluated by a panel of judges composed of farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals. The World Ag Expo draws more than 1,200 exhibitors and roughly 100,000 people from 60 countries. The contest winners will be honored at…