Author: staff

The most recent U.S. Drought Monitor shows that abnormal dryness (D0) and short-term moderate (D1) to severe (D2) drought continued to expand across the lower to middle Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley, Central Appalachians, Northeast, and Southeast last week. It wasn’t all degradations, heavy rainfall of 2 inches or more brought a 1-category improvement to parts of central and eastern portions of Kentucky and Tennessee. Map showing the U.S. Drought Monitor data for September 9, 2025 highlighting varying levels of drought intensity. Midwest Central and southern Missouri saw widespread 1-category degradations based on 30 to 60-day standardized precipitation index (SPI), soil…

DAILY Bites Phosphate prices surged nearly 36% between January and August 2025, while nitrogen and potash markets remain volatile due to energy and trade disruptions. Global policy shifts, including EU tariffs on Russian fertilizer, Canadian potash tariffs, and China’s export restrictions, are tightening supplies and driving up costs. Higher fertilizer expenses, combined with declining crop revenues, are expected to weigh heavily on farm income, especially for row crop producers. DAILY Discussion Farmers are once again bracing for higher input costs as fertilizer prices begin climbing after a brief period of stability. While prices remain below the record highs of 2022,…

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced eligible livestock producers will receive disaster recovery assistance through the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for 2023 and 2024 Flood and Wildfire to help offset increased supplemental feed costs due to a qualifying flood or qualifying wildfire in calendar years 2023 and 2024. The program is expected to provide approximately $1 billion in recovery benefits. Signup begins on Monday, September 15. Livestock producers have until October 31, 2025, to apply for assistance. “We are providing continued support for livestock producers whose livelihoods and way of life have been disrupted by catastrophic floods, wildfires,…

Key Takeaways Nationally, winter wheat planting is 5% complete, slightly behind the 6% average.Washington is more than 10 points ahead of average progress.Overall, progress is uneven, with some states moving faster than others. As of Sept. 7, 10 of the country’s top 18 winter-wheat-growing states had reported planting winter wheat, according to the most recent USDA Crop Progress report. Across those 10 states, planting stands at 5%. The five-year average for planted winter wheat at this time of year is 6%. Here’s an in-depth review of the states that reported. Washington Washington is leading the pack in winter wheat planting with…

Authorities in two states are investigating separate tractor incidents that left older farmers dead this week. In Bertrand Township, Michigan, a 78-year-old man died Wednesday after losing control of his tractor, which rolled over along U.S. 12 near Franklin Street around 2:30 p.m. First responders attempted life-saving measures, but the farmer was pronounced dead at the scene, according to mlive Michigan. The Michigan State Police said the investigation is ongoing. Troopers also reiterated basic safety guidance for operators: “drive slowly,” understand a tractor’s “center of gravity,” use caution on slopes, stay alert to people and vehicles, and avoid ditches and…

Today, the USDA released the September 2025 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. 2025/2026 U.S. Crop Production USDA pegged 2025/2026 U.S. corn production higher month-over-month, defying the average trade expectation. Yield was reduced, but planted and harvested acres were increased. For soybeans, USDA also increased planted acres, harvested acres, and total production, while decreasing yield. The average trade expectation was for a bigger yield decrease and lower overall production. 2025/2026 U.S. Ending Stocks USDA pegged 2025/2026 U.S. corn ending stocks slightly lower, but not as low as the average trade expectation. Soybean ending stocks were pegged higher, defying…

Just before 9:30 a.m. CT, December corn was up 4¼¢ at $4.24 per bushel. November soybeans were up 8¾¢ at $10.42¼ per bushel. Karl Setzer, partner with Consus Ag Consulting said the trade is watching the USDA World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates report, “For the most part, trade is expecting small revisions to August figures.” He added, “Trade remains concerned with the lack of China buying, but crush will help negate this. Domestic wheat stocks are forecast to hold steady this month. Global carryout is expected to hold steady, with larger production in South America countered by smaller crops…

By Cami Koons The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has withdrawn a January 2024 proposed rule that would have reduced the discharge of nutrients and pollutants from meat packing plants and slaughterhouses.  The agency said it chose to withdraw the rules in an effort to prioritize the nation’s food supply and to keep food prices down.  The proposed rules would have revised effluent limitations guidelines and standards, or ELG,s for the meat and poultry products industry. This industry, which the agency refers to as MPP, includes facilities that slaughter, dress and pack meat and poultry products for human or animal consumption.  According to…

More than 260 national and state farm organizations and Farm Credit institutions appealed to congressional leaders Thursday to take up and pass legislation reauthorizing and revising farm programs not included in the domestic spending and tax law enacted in July. “While vital provisions to ensure long-term stability and competitiveness for U.S. agriculture were included in the budget reconciliation bill, it cannot and should not be a substitute for a full Farm Bill. The full suite of programs across all Farm Bill titles are essential to the viability of our agricultural system and rural communities,” says the letter. The letter goes on,…

By Wesley Muller A Roseland, Louisiana, resident has filed a lawsuit against nearby Smitty’s Supply Inc. following the Aug. 22 explosion and subsequent fire at the petroleum products facility that took more than two weeks to extinguish.  Ronnie Polezcek filed the case Tuesday in state court in Tangipahoa Parish. It alleges Smitty’s Supply failed to properly maintain its facility and follow state environmental and safety regulations. As a result, the explosion caused widespread property damage, livestock deaths, and the disbursement of toxic chemicals that contaminated nearby homes and businesses, the complaint alleges. Polezcek, who lives about 3 miles from the facility, said…