Author: staff

The USDA released data on corn silking for the week ending July 20, 2025, in its latest Crop Progress report. While the top 18 corn producing states are only 2% behind the five-year average, four states are behind by 5 or more points. Here’s a look at those states: Colorado Corn silking in Colorado jumped 15 points from the week ending July 13, reaching 20%. Despite the gain, the crop still trails the five-year average of 29% by 9 points. Indiana In the Hoosier State, 55% of the corn is silking. While that’s a 24-point increase from the week ending…

By Ethan Wang and Ryan Woo BEIJING, July 23 (Reuters) – China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Sweden from July 27–30 for a new round of economic and trade talks with U.S. officials, the Chinese commerce ministry said on Wednesday. Both sides will continue consultations based on the principles of “mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation,” the ministry said in a statement. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday that he will meet with Chinese officials in Stockholm to discuss a deadline extension for negotiating a trade deal, while describing trade with China as “in a good place.” China faces an August 12 deadline…

The condition of the nation’s spring wheat is widely varied, according to the latest Crop Progress report from USDA. In one state, 87% of the crop was in good/excellent condition, while in another, just 7% of the crop was rated good/excellent. Here’s a closer look at spring wheat conditions in the six states that grow it, from best to worst. Minnesota The spring wheat in Minnesota was rated the best in the country, by far, by the USDA. As of July 20, 87% of the state’s crop was rated good/excellent. Only 10% was rated fair, and 3% was rated poor.…

Today, the House Committee on Agriculture met to discuss the national effects of California’s Proposition 12, a ballot initiative that places strict limits on the housing conditions of poultry and swine, leading to what many fear are rising prices and greater food insecurity. Because the law applies to all products sold in California, even if not produced there, the mandate has forced farmers across the country to spend millions rebuilding their facilities to become “California-compliant.” Last month, the Trump administration, with the backing of the Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit to challenge Prop 12. “The most important thing…

As crops push into peak growth stages, the window for in-season nutrient applications is open. Taking a proactive, data-informed approach to nutrient decisions during the season can increase yield, reduce environmental risk and increase economic resilience. “We often focus so much on what goes down pre-plant that we forget the crop’s biggest appetite hits mid-season,” said Steve Carlsen, director of proprietary products for CHS. “It’s like giving your crop breakfast and expecting it to power through the day without lunch or dinner.” Timing and Testing Natalina Sents Bausch Corn nutrient demands surge around V10, making the period leading up to…

A Knights Landing-based farm is taking legal action after the July 1 “Oakdale Fire,” a deadly fireworks explosion south of Esparto that is reported to have leveled crops, razed equipment, and claimed seven lives. In a civil complaint filed in Yolo County Superior Court, Etta James Farming LLC alleges negligence and other claims against several entities and individuals they say were responsible for the disaster. According to the lawsuit, the blaze erupted after a series of massive explosions at a fireworks warehouse near County Roads 23 and 86A in Esparto, which the lawsuit describes as the site of “an unlawful…

A new association launched this week to help farmers navigate renewable energy projects: the Renewable Energy Farmers of America (REFA). The farmer-led nonprofit organization was started to give landowners the knowledge, education, and connections they need to make decisions about wind and solar farms, high-voltage transmission lines, and battery storage projects. “There was a real gap in support for landowners trying to navigate renewable energy projects on their own,” said Jeff Risley, executive director at REFA. “We saw the potential to bring farmers and ranchers together into a network where they can learn from each other, access tangible services, and…

Editor’s note: This article was adapted from a white paper authored by farmer and international agricultural consultant Ben Henson. Rural America isn’t one thing. It’s a patchwork of communities and landscapes held together by lived experience, not slogans. Across that patchwork, people share a story: They’ve been courted for votes, talked down to, and left out of the decisions that shape their lives. But what gets overlooked are the actual needs — and the voices — of rural and working-class Americans. It’s vital to ask what’s broken, what still works, and what needs to happen if trust in the system…

At 9:30 a.m. CT, December corn was unchanged at $4.18 per bushel. November soybeans were up 5¾¢ at $10.31¼ per bushel. Karl Setzer, partner with Consus Ag Consulting said, “Futures’ trade was choppy overnight with values seeing both sides of unchanged. Much of this was reaction to news the U.S. and Japan have reached a trade deal, although details remain sparse. It does open up the possibility of more trade, and that is the main point.” The wheat markets were weaker in the morning. September CBOT wheat was down 3½¢ at $5.46 per bushel. September KC wheat was 5¼¢ lower…

By Ryan Hanrahan Progressive Farmer’s Russ Quinn reported that “agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025, according to a news release from Farmers National Company. The resilience is mainly driven by the basic economic principle of supply and demand; there are simply more motivated buyers than willing sellers.” “While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors cannot be ignored, according to the company,” Quinn reported. “As land value stabilizes after reaching peaks within the last five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation. Benchmark Midwest farmland…