Author: staff

An Illinois community is mourning the loss of a 16-year-old from Virden on August 12, who reportedly died following a farm implement accident.  According to news reports, the high schooler, Nolan C. Kiel, was operating a piece of farm equipment when the incident occurred about 25 miles outside of Springfield.  When officials arrived on scene, the teenager was pronounced dead at 11:56 a.m. by Macoupin County Coroner Anthony Kravanya, as reported by WLDS. Kiel was reportedly operating farm equipment when the accident took place.  No other vehicles were involved. Emergency responders from multiple local agencies — including the Virden Fire…

August is historically the time for combine and header sales, and this year is looking to be no different. Often combines and headers buy and sell in tandem, but not always – and in today’s economic environment some buyers are choosing to keep their combine but update their heads. Draper heads are becoming more popular because of the speed at which they can be used and their smooth delivery into the feeder house. Chopping heads can also catch a premium because they can eliminate a second pass when managing crop residue. While equipment dealers may be in the mood to…

New innovations aim to boost demand for these crops by using them to help revolutionize industries and deliver sustainable solutions for everyday life.  Animal agriculture is still the top market for soybeans, consuming 33 million metric tons annually. Corn also plays a leading role in livestock feed, as well as ethanol production. But in addition to those mainstays, corn and soy are now showing up in unexpected places such as textiles, tires, plastics, and even as a skin substitute for burn victims. Carla Schultz farms in Michigan’s Thumb and sees the benefits of soybean meal to her farm’s pork and…

Previously for AGDAILY, Rebuilding trust and opportunity in rural and working-class America, we made the case that our communities still have the skills, the values, and the grit to shape our own future. That article was the rallying cry. This one is the proof — the real-world examples of what it looks like when rural America puts its shoulder to the wheel and builds from within. Because behind every statistic about rural decline, there are places writing a different story. They’re not waiting for Washington or Wall Street to figure them out. They’re finding their own solutions, building with what…

By Maximilian Heath BUENOS AIRES, Aug 13 (Reuters) – Farmers in Argentina’s central crop region intend to increase corn planting by between 15% and 20% in the 2025/26 season compared to the prior season, the Rosario grains exchange reported in a forecast on Wednesday. Corn planting in the key food-exporting country begins in September. Last season, 8.3 million hectares (32,046 square miles) were planted with corn in Argentina, yielding a harvest of 48.5 million metric tons, according to data from the exchange. The exchange said the shift was driven by excellent soil moisture reserves for early sowing and the declining appeal of soybeans due to tighter profit margins. Corn and soybeans…

The old saying is, “It’s a small world.” Researchers say it’s about to get even smaller, and farmers of commodities, such as corn and soybeans, must adapt to thrive.  In a report series called “The Big Shrink,” Terrain, a team of economic analysts working on behalf of several Farm Credit associations, is investigating how population decline may impact agriculture. Terrain predicts the global population will peak at 9.38 billion between 2065 and 2070. Some countries, such as China, have already peaked in population, according to Terrain.  Analysts Matt Clark and Matthew Woolf say a global decline in population will compel…

According to data compiled by the Successful Farming team, more than 2,600 acres of Iowa farmland are set to be auctioned in August 2025. Listings range from a single tract of 73 acres up to more than 600 acres divided into nine tracts. Here’s a closer look at the farmland expected to change hands across 14 Iowa counties. Hamilton County Nine Hamilton County tracts totaling 614.85 acres will be sold in an online only auction on Aug. 28, 2025. Bidding is open now. All bids will be on a price-per-acre basis. Potential bidders are encouraged to register online at least…

Case IH has released three new series of utility tractors in the Farmall tractor lineup. Case also released a new variable chamber round baler.  All of the new machines include optional precision technology features, such as entry-level and advanced telematics, that help farmers manage their machine and agronomic data through the FieldOps web, mobile, and tablet applications. “There’s a lot of excitement about the return of the Farmall M, and we continue to have a tractor solution to meet any need,” said Leo Bose, customer segment lead, Case IH. “With the Farmall A, C, and M, we allow producers to…

According to the latest Crop Protection Network map, positive cases of southern rust have been reported in 5 Minnesota counties so far this growing season.  Reports started coming in on July 29, 2025 — just over two weeks ago. Complicating things is the fact that states as far north as Minnesota have less experience with the disease compared to other Corn Belt states, according to Syngenta agronomist Tim Dahl, because “southern rust does not overwinter on residue.” Weather Minnesota weather has been just right for the disease to thrive.  “The weather, again, was warm, with some areas getting an abundance…

DAILY Bites Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins credits President Trump’s “historic trade wins” and easing inflation for creating stronger market opportunities and stability for producers. Corn and soybean production forecasts were trimmed due to weather and acreage reductions, though export demand, especially for corn, remains strong. Wheat and cotton output increased, with exports boosted by recent trade agreements and growing demand from key international markets. DAILY Discussion In the August World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, which was released Tuesday, U.S. corn yields were revised slightly lower due to hot, dry conditions in parts of the Midwest. Despite…