Author: staff

March corn ended the day down 4¼¢ at $4.74½ per bushel. March soybeans closed down 23¾¢ at $10.19 per bushel. March wheat contracts also closed lower. CBOT wheat was down 9½¢ at $5.37½ per bushel. KC wheat was down 9¼¢ at $5.48¼ per bushel. Minneapolis wheat was down 6¢ at $5.81½ per bushel. The Grain Market Insider newsletter by Stewart-Peterson Inc. said corn was pressured today by improved South American weather and Canada’s counter-tariffs plan, in preparation for the possibility of new U.S. tariffs under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. “The Canadian government proposed a counter-tariff plan on U.S. imports totaling…

As the only FFA member to become a president of the United States, Jimmy Carter’s legacy extends far beyond his political career into the world of agriculture education and leadership. America remembers him for not only his international work for human rights and peacekeeping, but also as an advocate for farmers and rural communities across the nation. As an FFA alumnus, Carter continually supported the National FFA Organization and agricultural education as a whole, leaving a lasting mark on the FFA and the future of farming in America. Agriculture was a part of Carter’s life from the very beginning, as…

DAILY Bites The USDA released an interim rule offering technical guidelines for climate-smart crops used as biofuel feedstocks, addressing gaps in the Clean Fuels Production (45Z) tax credit. A beta carbon intensity calculator enables farmers to quantify the impact of sustainable practices like no-till planting and cover cropping, potentially reducing carbon intensity by up to 90%. Industry leaders praised the rule for its structure and flexibility, highlighting new revenue opportunities for farmers and enhanced carbon reduction benefits for biofuels. DAILY Discussion Just days after biofuel groups voiced concerns over the lack of specifics surrounding the Clean Fuels Production (45Z) tax…

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a lawsuit against John Deere over equipment repair practices.  The lawsuit, filed Wednesday morning in conjunction with the State of Illinois and State of Minnesota, alleges Deere & Company has “throttled the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, leaving farmers wholly reliant upon Deere’s network of authorized dealers for many key repairs.” “Durable, reliable, and easily repairable agricultural equipment is critical to American farmers’ ability to profitably produce their crops,” the lawsuit reads.  Much of Deere’s newer equipment requires a software tool to diagnose and repair electronic…

An arctic air outbreak is expected to bring well-below average temperatures throughout the majority of the United States in the next week. The jet stream will dip south, ushering in cold air directly from the Arctic Jan. 19 through Jan. 23 to the National Weather Service.  Sub-zero temperatures and dangerous wind chills are predicted to impact the Northern Plains and Midwest. The cold air will dip far south into states on the Gulf Coast, bringing 20-degree temperatures and potential travel issues.  National Weather Service “Sub-zero temperatures, even down into Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana will be possible, and we’re talking…

It’s a new year, and guess what’s on our minds? Self-care for farmers and ranchers. Yep, you read that right. Farming isn’t just hard work; it’s everything-intensive — mentally, physically, and emotionally. Between balancing the unpredictability of weather, long hours, tight finances, and maybe even a toddler or two, farmers have a lot on their plates. And no, it’s not all homegrown vegetables. Yet, wellness often takes a backseat. Simple self-care — whether it’s a quiet dinner at a restaurant serving their produce, a yoga class to stretch out tired muscles, or even something as basic as better boot insoles…

For more than a decade, Bucyrus, Ohio, farmer Steve Reinhard has been working to improve his production practices.  He’s transitioned from blanket fertilizer applications to a more precise approach, changed his application timings, and moved to a no-till system. “Sustainability impacts our day-to-day decision making all the time,” Reinhard said. “When we talk about sustainability, we’re always looking at three different forms of sustainability. Not only do we have the environmental impact but also financial sustainability and how we pass the farm on to the next generation.”  As Reinhard independently changed his operation, sustainability discussions hit the mainstream. Critiques around…

Loftness has  introduced a newly redesigned flail mower attachment for skid steers and compact track loaders. Designed to cut grass, weeds, and brush up to ¾ inches in diameter, it offers new knife options and an available floating hitch, plus other improvements. The flail mower attachment can be equipped with either duckfoot or flail knives to accommodate different applications. Duckfoot knives produce a finer cut in easier cutting conditions; flail knives are designed for use in tougher vegetation. Operators can quickly switch from one style to another without the use of tools. Also new to the flail mower is a…

CANBERRA/PARIS, Jan 15 (Reuters) – Chicago corn and soybean futures edged higher on Wednesday to trade near multi-month highs as investors monitored rain forecasts in Argentina and awaited U.S. inflation data for more clues on interest rate policy. Wheat prices eased after a two-day rally, capped by a backdrop of strong competition for tepid export demand. The most active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) was up 0.4% at $4.76-1/2 a bushel at 1146 GMT. The contract reached its highest since December 2023 on Tuesday before turning lower. CBOT soybeans rose 0.3% to $10.50-1/2 a bushel. The…

The states of Minnesota and Illinois, along with the Federal Trade Commission, have filed a lawsuit against John Deere, challenging the company’s restrictions on farmers’ ability to repair their own equipment. The 37-page lawsuit filed today alleges that, for decades, Deere’s practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing farmers to instead rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers for necessary repairs. The document says that this unfair steering practice has boosted Deere’s multi-billion-dollar profits on agricultural equipment and parts, growing its repair parts business while burdening farmers with higher repair costs,…