Author: staff

By Carl Zulauf and Jonathan Coppess This article compares economic loss with safety net payments for the nine large acreage crops that USDA, ERS (US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service) reports a cost of production. This comparison is important in part because ad hoc assistance was provided during, not after the 2024 crop year. In-year ad hoc assistance increases the possibility of too much or too little public assistance for the sector and individual crops. 2024 crop safety net assistance is estimated to reduce the nine crop’s collective economic loss from 17% to slightly more than 3% of total economic cost. Coverage of individual crop economic loss…

While the USDA Crop Progress report remains on pause, here’s a closer look at the status of Wisconsin’s corn harvest in mid-October from an agronomist’s perspective. Nick Groth, agronomic service representative with Syngenta Crop Protection, shared that corn harvest is well underway in southern Wisconsin and just beginning in northern Wisconsin. “I would estimate around 15% of corn fields have been harvested across Wisconsin as a whole,” said Groth. Last year at this time, the USDA reported that 26% of Wisconsin corn had been harvested. Wisconsin Corn Quality “Almost all fields across the state have reached black layer now, and…

As we reach mid-October, the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) reported that a late-season surge of tropical moisture brought heavy precipitation and areas of flooding to parts of the Four Corners States. Amounts of 4 inches to locally over 6 inches were reported in parts of interior Arizona and southern Colorado. Farther east, a coastal storm system brought gusty winds and heavy rains to parts of the East Coast. Drought designations improved by multiple categories in some of the wetter areas across interior Arizona, southern Colorado, and eastern South Carolina. Areas of 1-category improvement covered the central and southwestern Four Corners…

Following recent Iowa layoffs, John Deere has announced another significant restructuring move that will affect operations across the state. According to multiple Iowa news outlets, the company plans to relocate certain jobs from its Ottumwa and Des Moines facilities to other John Deere locations in Iowa and Illinois. The brand said this change is part of an effort to increase efficiency and reduce costs within its manufacturing and testing operations. KWWL reported that the relocation will specifically involve product verification and validation testing currently performed at Ottumwa Works and Des Moines Works. These functions will be moved to other John…

December live cattle ended the day down $6.05 at $241.83 per hundredweight (cwt). November feeder cattle closed down $9.25 at $371.70 per cwt. December lean hogs were down 23¢ at $82.38 per cwt. “Cattle futures were under heavy pressure today following statements from the White House that high beef prices are being looked at,” said Karl Setzer, partner at Consus Ag Consulting. “President Trump announced that he would like to see cheaper beef and has ‘magic’ that can make that happen. While high-priced beef is the result of low cattle numbers, the government’s own policy is a major factor, including…

The FARMCON event being held Jan. 7 and 8, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri, is going to recognize farmers, entrepreneurs, and agribusiness professionals through its 40 Under Forty Awards. Nominations are open now and can be made at this link. Whether it’s creating new market opportunities, launching game-changing ag-tech, or transforming the rural landscape, the selected honorees are the kind of role models who are already making a difference. Nominees are those uniquely positioned to lead the new era of American agriculture, where tradition meets innovation, and the future is rooted in resilience, driven by technology and powered by unwavering…

When I talk to farmers about ag technology, I hear a lot of fear and confusion. Ag tech has come with a lot of promises with 30% yield gains here, 40% savings there, and over and over again. Many farmers have felt that implementing technology can be a burden at times and can cost too much without showing verifiable ROI.  While ag technology may feel like a burden, I’m here to tell you why I think it could be the savior you need to get through this downturn and set up your farm for the future.  History of Ag Tech…

Weeks after Florida rodeo teen Caden Rex Speight went missing and was found a day later, authorities have arrested the 17-year-old in connection with what investigators said had long alleged: the dramatic disappearance was a fabricated abduction. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office reported this week that Speight was arrested on charges of presenting false evidence, shooting into a conveyance, making a false report of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a minor. The arrest follows a two-week investigation that revealed the dramatic search began with what authorities say was a fabricated crime scene. According to the sheriff’s office,…

Working full-time outside of agriculture while also advocating for the industry can sometimes feel a bit disjointed. On the one hand, I’m trying to tell everyone our farms are sustainable, innovative, and modern. But the rest of the world seems deadset on believing that agriculture is the root cause of every environmental crisis. I’m sure I’m not alone in experiencing this disconnect. Quite frankly, I can’t think of another industry that’s made such dramatic progress on sustainability over the last century (just look at dairy producers and cotton farming as two quick examples). Yet no matter how much we improve,…

Ag Growth International (AGI) has introduced two new diesel-powered grain handling tools. The STX3 auger and UCX4 conveyor are additions to the company’s portable grain handling lineup and are available in limited release now with full production anticipated for 2026.  “AGI is excited to bring these diesel-driven products to market,” said Paul Brisebois, AGI senior vice president, North American farm and global portables. “The STX3 and UCX4 are power-pair innovations, engineered to meet the demanding requirements of grain farmers in Canada and the United States with a focus on uptime, fuel savings, and performance.” STX3 Auger The STX3 is the…