Author: staff

By Nick Paulson, Gary Schnitkey, and Carl Zulauf The price discovery period for the Harvest Prices used to determine crop insurance indemnities for revenue products concluded at the end of October. The 2024 harvest price for corn is $4.16 per bushel, 50¢ or 11% lower than the projected price of $4.66. The 2024 harvest price for soybeans is $10.03 per bushel, $1.52 or 13% below the projected price of $11.55. The harvest price declines for corn and soybeans in 2024 are not sufficient to trigger individual farm revenue coverage payments even at the highest coverage level of 85%. Area revenue plans —…

According to the USDA Crop Progress report for the week ending Nov. 10, the country’s corn harvest progress reached 95% across top growing states. That’s 11 percentage points ahead of the five-year average.  With only 5% of the crop unharvested, farmers in the top 18 states have just 3.9 million more acres of corn to harvest. Here’s a map highlighting corn harvest progress in those 18 states and four major takeaways from the numbers. 1. Michigan takes Ohio’s spot as the state furthest ahead of normal progress.  Although Ohio held the spot for the four weeks prior, Michigan took the…

Off-highway tire manufacturer BKT has launched four new tires designed for modern agriculture.  The Agrimax Procrop is designed for sprayers and row crop usage. The company’s VF technology enables farm machinery to carry heavier loads at reduced inflation pressure with a wide footprint to help reduce soil compaction. A centrally closed tread and strong sidewalls provide high lateral stability. An open shoulder design improves traction on a variety of surfaces. The Agrimax Spargo SB is also designed for sprayers and row crops but is also suited for orchards and vineyards. A more open and higher tread pattern — made possible…

When 72 percent of youth said they seek support from adults in learning how to use AI tools correctly and with confidence, 4-H and Microsoft Corp. recognized there was an opportunity to step in and help skill up 1.4 million youth across the country for free through Minecraft Education’s new AI Foundations curriculum. The series of online animated videos offer materials designed to build AI literacy among students, educators and families across the country, including small and rural communities. Throughout the academic year, 4-H will lead “train the trainer” sessions for educators, enabling them to bring valuable real-world scenarios and…

The National Pork Producers Council is accepting 2025 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship applications. Ten $2,500 scholarships are awarded annually to college students who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry with aspirations to become industry leaders. CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation sponsor the scholarships. “The strength of America’s pork industry lies in the hands of its future leaders,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “The Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship plays a critical role in encouraging and empowering students to pursue careers in our industry, ensuring we…

As harvest nearly wraps up in Nebraska, here’s a look at the latest numbers from USDA, along with agronomist input on how this season went and some outlook for next year.  Corn and Soybean Harvest Progress Harvested corn in Nebraska reached 94% as of Nov. 10, an increase of four percentage points for the week. With that, Nebraska farmers are seven percentage points ahead of the average progress of the last five years. With 6% of the crop unharvested, there’s just 582,000 acres of corn left to run, according to USDA’s August Crop Production report.  As for soybeans, 99% of…

Illinois is nearly done with its corn and soybean harvests, according to the most recent USDA Crop Progress report released Nov. 12. While soybean harvesting is slightly ahead of five-year averages, corn is well ahead of schedule.  The Land of Lincoln is also nearly done planting its winter wheat crop.  Corn Harvest and Yield Illinois is 97% complete with its corn crop harvest as of Nov. 10, USDA said. This mark is 8 percentage points ahead of the five-year average. According to data reported in June’s USDA Acreage Report, Illinois has 322,500 acres left to be harvested.  With harvest almost…

Cargill RegenConnect — the company’s regenerative ag and soil health initiative — has surpassed 1 million enrolled acres for the 2025 U.S. planting season. Through partnerships with farmers across the United States and beyond, Cargill says they’re helping transform agricultural systems for a more sustainable, food-secure world. Since its launch in 2021, Cargill RegenConnect has given farmers the tools, resources, and incentives they need to implement regenerative practices like low till, no-till, and cover cropping. These practices can help improve soil health, increase water retention, sequester carbon and enhance biodiversity. The nearly 1,500 farmers enrolled in the U.S. program receive…

The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has expelled Illinois Farm Bureau (IFB) from its membership status following a Nov. 12 vote from the AFBF board of directors. This decision goes into effect Dec. 20.  AFBF attempted to mediate with IFB leadership on Nov. 11, but negotiations proved unsuccessful. Following these negotiations, an email was sent by AFBF President Zippy Duvall to state farm bureau presidents. Duvall announced the decision and placed blame on IFB leadership for allowing the situation to reach this point.  Of the 400,000 estimated Illinois Farm Bureau members, only an estimated 78,000 are farmers. The discrepancy between…

December corn is down 1½¢ this morning. January soybeans are down 4¢. December CBOT wheat is down 8¢. December KC wheat is down 3¾¢. March Minneapolis wheat is down 4½¢. This morning USDA announced new corn export sales:  Mexico is buying 401,357 metric tons of corn for the 2024/2025 marketing year.Unknown destinations are buying 290,820 metric tons of corn for the 2024/2025 marketing year. Naomi Blohm, senior market advisor at Total Farm Marketing, said in the short term she expects grains to trade sideways to lower. She also noted the higher U.S. dollar is weighing on grain prices and creating…