Author: staff

ChapterBoost FFA is a program through the National FFA Organization that is transforming how local FFA chapters bring their agricultural dreams to life. Designed as a dedicated crowdfunding platform, ChapterBoost connects donors with students and educators leading innovative, hands-on agricultural projects across the nation. From building greenhouses and hydroponic systems to supporting student travel for leadership events and conventions, every campaign on ChapterBoost directly contributes to developing the next generation of agricultural leaders. Each project tells a story of student ambition and community growth. Current campaigns highlight the diverse needs and creativity of FFA programs. For example, the Tools for…

Ahead of 9:30 a.m. CT, December live cattle were down $6 at $235.18 per hundredweight (cwt). January feeder cattle were down $9.25 at $348.18 per cwt. December lean hogs were unchanged at $81.78 per cwt. Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor with Total Farm Marketing, said this morning the cattle market is still “balancing government intervention.” Yesterday, Reuters reported: “U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration is quadrupling the country’s low-tariff imports of Argentine beef in his attempt to lower grocery store beef prices, a White House official said on Thursday, evoking fury from the nation’s cattle ranchers. “Raising the tariff rate quota on Argentine beef to 80,000 metric…

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 23 (Reuters) – Mexico’s agriculture minister will travel to Washington next week with the aim of reaching an agreement on the reopening of the border to Mexican cattle amid an outbreak of the flesh-eating screwworm parasite, President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday. Mexican Agriculture Minister Julio Berdegue will meet with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to discuss plans for the border, which the U.S. has kept closed to Mexican cattle imports since May. “We hope he can return with an agreement on the border opening,” Sheinbaum said in her regular press conference. The screwworm, a pest that burrows…

1. Soybeans Surge Overnight on Trade Optimism Soybean futures were higher in overnight trading on optimism about restarting trade with China.  President Donald Trump said over the weekend that the U.S. will work with China to end the ongoing tariff war between the world’s two largest economies.  Officials from the U.S. and China spoke on a call Friday that Chinese state media said was constructive.  Trump said he wants the Asian nation to again buy U.S. soybeans ahead of a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping that’s set for the end of the month.  The meeting between the heads of…

Although harvest seems like the culmination of the year’s work, taking time now to complete fall tillage is key to setting your fields up for the next year. An even layer of residue means consistent moisture and temperature in spring when it’s time to plant. That process starts with the combine.  “Every pass on the field needs to complement the planter for the following spring,” said CJ Parker, Case IH North America tillage marketing manager. “As headers get wider and wider, it’s more important than ever to make sure you don’t have pockets of residue that can affect how your…

AgZen Inc. announced the signing of an agreement with Corteva to explore the commercial potential of AgZen’s crop spraying optimization technology, RealCoverage. The agreement includes evaluation of in-lab and on-field optimizations of various commercially relevant Corteva solutions. AgZen says it is pioneering feedback optimization for agrochemical applications — a new approach with potential to improve outcomes and reduce costs for every part of the direct-ag-inputs industry. AgZen’s first product, RealCoverage, can be bolted onto any sprayer and is the world’s only system that measures and optimizes the number of drops of agrochemicals applied to crops. Vishnu Jayaprakash, CEO of AgZen,…

By Leah Douglas and P.J. Huffstutter WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (Reuters) – U.S. states this week warned food aid recipients that their benefits may not be distributed in November if the federal government shutdown stretches into its fourth week. Warnings issued on at least two dozen state websites flag the potential for an unprecedented benefit gap for more than 41 million people who get aid from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, and the nearly 7 million who receive aid from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, known as WIC. Such a gap threatens to…

By Leah Douglas and Tom Polansek WASHINGTON, Oct. 22 (Reuters) – The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday continued its campaign to cut the cost of beef, with Trump urging cattle ranchers to lower prices while several agencies announced an effort to rebuild the country’s decimated cattle herd. Earlier this week, Trump said the administration was considering importing Argentine beef as a means of lowering record-high consumer beef prices. The suggestion angered U.S. ranchers. U.S. farmers also recently lost out to Argentina on soybean sales to China. Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Wednesday that cattle ranchers were benefiting from…

At the Thursday market close, December corn was up 5¢ at $4.28 per bushel. January soybeans were up 12¢ at $10.62 per bushel. “Corn, soybeans, and wheat were higher on the open [Thursday] morning as even without active buying activity, sellers were absent,” said Karl Setzer, partner with Consus Ag Consulting. December CBOT wheat was up 9¼¢ at $5.13 per bushel. December KC wheat were 11½¢ higher at $5.00 per bushel. December Minneapolis wheat rose 8¾¢ at $5.40¾ per bushel. December live cattle were up $1.35 at $241.17 per hundredweight (cwt). January feeder cattle were down $3.60 at $357.42 per…

Michigan FFA has announced a record-breaking surge in student membership for the 2024-25 academic year, growing from 8,800 members to 10,047 — an increase of over 14 percent, the largest percentage growth of any state FFA association in the country. This milestone reflects the expanding reach and relevance of agricultural education across Michigan. With 135 agriscience programs now active statewide and 162 dedicated agricultural educators leading the charge, Michigan FFA continues to cultivate the next generation of leaders in agriculture, food and natural resources. Six new programs launched this year, further strengthening Michigan’s commitment to hands-on, career-focused learning. These include:…