Author: staff

The first buyer of a piece of equipment is easy to identify. They order what they want and sometimes even have it made exactly to their specifications. However, once that farmer moves on from that machine, finding the next owner is more challenging, as the equipment gets larger. Andy Campbell, director of insights for Tractor Zoom, says there are a limited number of farms able to take on something like a Class 10 combine. “Your outfit has to be tailored to handle that much grain that fast,” he said. “If you’re pulling through 1,200, 1,300 bushels an hour, you have…

What Happened On Jan. 31, the USDA issued its cattle inventory report. The report is published every six months and quantifies the entire U.S. cattle herd. Once again, the report confirmed that the U.S. beef herd is not growing. In fact, it is shrinking. The long-term implications are for continued tight supply, high feeder prices, and concern that consumer demand could decline.  The highlights of the report indicated all cattle and calves in the U.S. (as of Jan. 1, 2025) totaled 86.7 million head, down 1% from the same time a year ago. All major categories, including all cows and…

By Lauren Manning Grass-fed beef presents a lucrative opportunity for cattle producers, who can realize major price premiums for grass-fed, pasture-raised, or local meat. On average, grass-fed beef sells for $2.50 to $3 more per pound than conventionally produced beef according to Consumer Reports. There are several different marketing channels for grass-fed beef, as well, including selling finished animals to a packer or direct marketing grass-fed beef to local consumers, chefs, and co-op grocery stores. It’s not as simple as parking the feed truck in the garage for good. Producing grass-fed beef requires careful management of forage and, most of…

The Central Nevada Health District has reported the first confirmed case of H5N1 avian flu in a human within the state. The individual, a dairy farm worker in Churchill County, was exposed to infected cattle. According to the CNHD, the worker exhibited only conjunctivitis as a symptom and is currently recovering. Health officials are reaching out to those who may have had contact with the infected individual and are providing them with protective equipment and antiviral medication. So far, there is no indication that the virus is spreading between people. “While the current public health risk to the general public…

New Holland has revamped its PowerStar Series tractors for 2025, offering new styling outside, greater comfort inside and a wide array of productivity-enhancing features across all four PowerStar models — the 90, 100, 110 and 120. The machines were put on display at this year’s National Farm Machinery Show, held at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville. Underneath the new hood is a powerful, fuel-efficient FPT Industrial 3.6-liter four-cylinder engine featured in all four models. “We know our customers are seeking solutions that help them reduce their fuel costs. While these engines still utilize common rail fuel injection technology like…

At the close Tuesday, March corn was down 7½¢ at $4.84 per bushel. March soybeans closed down 6¢ at $10.43½ per bushel. March wheat contracts were also lower. CBOT wheat was down 2½¢ at $5.77 per bushel. KC wheat was down 4¢ at $5.92¾ per bushel. Minneapolis wheat was down 7¢ at $6.18¼ per bushel. Earlier today, USDA released the February World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The report left 2024/2025 U.S. corn and soybean ending stocks unchanged month-over-month and pegged wheat ending stocks lower. The Grain Market Insider newsletter by Stewart-Peterson Inc. said, “Long liquidation pressured corn…

Today, USDA released the February 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. 2024/2025 U.S. Ending Stocks USDA defied expectations for 2024/2025 U.S. corn, soybean, and wheat ending stocks. Corn and soybeans were held steady when the average trade expectation was for lower ending stocks. Concerning wheat, USDA went lower when the average trade expectation was for higher ending stocks. 2024/2025 U.S. Ending Stocks Estimates (Bushels)   February  Trade Expectations January Corn  1.540 billion  1.521 billion  1.540 billion Soybeans 380 million  376 million 380 million Wheat 794 million  801 million 798 million 2024/2025 Global Ending Stocks For 2024/2025 global…

AGDAILY Reporters · February 11, 2025 During Super Bowl LIX, Google’s 50 States, 50 Stories campaign highlighted small businesses that are using AI-powered tools in Google Workspace, including several agricultural operations leveraging technology to improve efficiency and reach customers. 3 Farm Daughters, a farm-based business in Grand Forks, North Dakota, was featured for using AI in marketing and communication. Founded by three sisters, the company produces nutrient-rich farm products and uses Gemini in Docs to draft and refine social media content, helping them better engage with consumers. The campaign also showcased the importance of AI in other agricultural businesses, demonstrating…

North Carolina-based KIOTI Tractor has launched a new app, KIOTI Connect, that provides users with real-time insights into equipment performance and location, enabling data-driven decisions that optimize operations. With advanced AI-powered predictive analytics, the KIOTI Connect system anticipates and prevents potential maintenance issues, reducing downtime and boosting overall productivity. Easy to use, the app provides seamless access to essential data and support, ensuring machine owners are connected and informed as they work. “We’re excited to introduce this AI-powered predictive analytics tool to help machine owners anticipate and prevent maintenance issues before they occur, increasing uptime and overall efficiency,” said Youngjin…

Price discrepancies for agricultural chemicals are decreasing, according to Farmers Business Network (FBN) 2025 Ag Chemical Price Transparency Report. The 2025 report collected more than 1,390 data points from farms across 26 states.  “The difference between the high price and the low price is getting smaller over time,” said John Appel, FBN senior director of category management. “The market’s getting more competitive and this survey is a tool to get a fair shake in conversations with retailers.” Market Trends The 2025 report notes that prices are down compared to years past. However, with a 10% tariff in place for goods…