Author: staff

When Trey Myers’ name was called to be the next FFA president at the 98th National FFA Convention & Expo in Indianapolis, he almost slipped. “Before they announced everything, one of the backstage managers came up to us and said, ‘Make sure you don’t run too fast; the floor is slick,’” he recalled with a laugh. “But in the moment, your heart rate skyrockets. I took off and almost fell down running up on stage. Then, when I hit the huddle with the team, I actually head-butted Jael Cruikshank, our Western Region vice president. That was our first memory as…

By Andre Romani and Roberto Samora SAO PAULO, Nov. 10 (Reuters) – Brazil has received its first approvals to export sorghum and dried distillers grains (DDG) to China, the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry said on Monday. China gave the green light for 10 Brazilian plants to export sorghum, while five were cleared to ship corn-based DDG and DDG with solubles (DDGS), which are used as animal feed, to the Asian country, the ministry said in a statement. China is Brazil’s top soybean buyer and has been seeking to diversify both animal feed ingredients and sourcing after a trade dispute with the United States…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved registration for Victrato seed treatment, a Syngenta innovation that offers broad-spectrum nematode and disease protection, while also offering early-season suppression of foliar soybean diseases. Victrato will be available for soybeans and cotton this year in preparation for the 2026 planting season, subject to state approvals. Built as a heavy-pressure specialist, Victrato tackles sudden death syndrome and nematodes, including SCN, root knot, reniform, lance, and lesion. The brand calls its new active ingredient, TYMIRIUM technology, a ground-breaking carboxamide SDHI molecule that combines vital potency and targeting. Its Smart-Site Targeting helps zero in on plant-parasitic…

What Happened Soybean futures rallied more than $1 since mid-October, accelerating upward this past week as the framework for a trade deal with China was outlined. In addition, President Trump’s trip to other Asian countries also netted positive trade results and expectations. Though the Commitment of Traders report is not available due to the government shutdown, private estimates suggest managed money has been actively exiting short positions, entering new longs, or both. In essence, the perception of improved trade, technical buying, and speculation that final harvest results will indicate a smaller yield than the current USDA estimate of 53.5 bushels…

The National FFA Organization has officially opened applications for its 2025-26 scholarship program, offering nearly $2.5 million in financial assistance to FFA members pursuing their next steps in education. Whether students are headed to a trade school, vocational program, or a two- or four-year college, the online application gives them access to a wide range of scholarship opportunities funded by FFA’s generous corporate partners and supporters. The application period runs now through January 15, 2026, and all high school seniors and FFA alumni currently enrolled in college are eligible to apply. Notifications for both winners and non-winners will be sent…

Ahead of 9 a.m. CT, December corn was down less than a penny at $4.26¾ per bushel. January soybeans were up 6¼¢ at $11.23¼ per bushel. December CBOT wheat was up 3¼¢ at $5.31 per bushel. December KC wheat was up 1¾¢ at $5.21 per bushel. December Minneapolis wheat was up 1¾¢ at $5.59¾. “This week will be full of yield estimates coming in before the much-anticipated WASDE [World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates] report on Friday. …” said Jacob Burks, chief experience officer with AgMarket.net. “I would anticipate a range-bound trade going through the week looking for real information to…

Biological products are some of the fastest-growing categories of crop inputs, potentially helping farmers unlock new yield potential, improve soil health, and increase the efficacy of fertility programs. “The real promise of biologicals lies in their flexibility,” said Fred Below, a University of Illinois crop physiologist. “It’s the only category that can potentially make every part of the production system work a little better.” But, with hundreds of products on the market, it can be difficult to separate promise from proven performance. Defining the Space One challenge: Even the terminology is muddy. Below noted that many farmers feel overwhelmed by…

In 1957, the future of Allis-Chalmers (AC) tractors was revealed in a dandy 34-hp tractor. Heralding a significant departure from its past tractor designs, the D14 was the vanguard of AC’s D Series and represented a complete modernization of its tractor line. And just in time. Farms were growing in size and farmers were demanding not only more horsepower but also better features on that horsepower. Recognizing that need, Allis engineers set about designing a new generation of horsepower and brought out the D14. This model would soon be joined by six additional tractors ranging in power from 31 engine…

It’s notoriously difficult to shop for gifts for farmers. How many socket sets does one person need? These ideas are useful enough for a farmer to appreciate, but they wouldn’t necessarily buy them for themselves. That’s a recipe for a great gift! Keep the Pigs Warm Make winter chores more bearable with these rechargeable heated insoles from Weston. They come in two sizes and can easily be moved from work boots to tennis shoes. The water-resistant insoles have eight heating zones and three temperature levels, warming to 130°F in temperatures as low as -20°F. A charge lasts around eight hours,…

For Justin Butts, the path to becoming a farmer was riddled with bumps and detours, including a stint in the Navy, a misdiagnosed medical crisis, culinary school, and a derailed first attempt at leasing a farm. Thanks to the work ethic and ability to persevere he honed in the Navy, Butts finally has his own farm, and now he’s giving back. 15 Minutes With Justin Butts See more episodes of 15 Minutes With a Farmer. Please rate and review us! Garden Roots As a child in rural Pennsylvania, Butts enjoyed gardening alongside his grandfather, a World War II veteran. “When…