A northwest Ohio farmer says warm and dry weather has helped the 2025 harvest season to progress rapidly. Justin Gravatt says he finished his soybean harvest in just nine days. “It didn’t matter whether they were on the high ground or low ground,” he says. “The low ground beans were dead in August and the dry…… Continue Reading
Iowa grower says high input costs could force changes to fertility plans
A south-central Iowa farmer says budgeting for 2026 expenses is going to be a difficult task. “Nitrogen and phosphorus are up again and that’s counter to what usually happens when commodity prices are low,” said Knoxville grower Steve Kuiper. Kuiper tells Brownfield that cutting back on inputs is a real possibility. “We’re looking at it…… Continue Reading
Quarter-million Iowans could lose food assistance amid federal shutdown
The Trump administration has announced SNAP benefits will not be circulated on November 1st if the partial government shutdown continues. Annette Hacker, chief communications and strategy officer with the Food Bank of Iowa, says a cutoff of federal food aid would be unprecedented. “We have never seen a time in history before where SNAP benefits…… Continue Reading
U.S. corn export inspections surge as Mexico, Colombia drive demand
U.S. corn export inspections continue to move out faster than last year’s pace. The USDA says corn inspections during the week ending October 23rd were up solidly on the year, with two key customers in Mexico and Colombia leading the way. In addition to those long-standing trade relationships with Mexico and Colombia, global demand for…… Continue Reading
Indiana farmer nears the end of harvest 2025 with top-end corn yields
A west central Indiana farmer says he expects to wrap up the 2025 harvest season within the next two weeks. Kevin Cox raises corn and soybeans in Parke County and says results have been surprising. “Yields on beans were average,” he says. “Corn is going to be a top five crop for us this year. We’ve had…… Continue Reading
Wet weather slows harvest progress across Western Corn Belt
A pair of farmers in the Western Corn Belt say wet weather has impacted this year’s harvest pace. Scott Gigstad raises corn and soybeans in eastern Kansas and says recent moisture has delayed the end of corn harvest. “We’re probably 60 to 70 percent done. Here in the last 3 or 4 days, we’ve hit…… Continue Reading
State FFA officers focus on training and strategic growth ahead of National FFA Convention
State FFA officers are gathering in Indianapolis this week to help members advance and fine tune their leadership skills as a part of this year’s National FFA Convention. Abbey Garland with Ohio FFA says student leaders are hosting workshops and discussions with hands-on learning experiences. “I’m looking forward to continuing conversations and gathering additional information…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy mostly steady-to-higher Monday
Cash dairy prices were steady-to-higher except for butter Monday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey remained unchanged at $0.69. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0225 at $1.80. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.80 to $1.8025. Cheese barrels were up $0.0250 at $1.7950. No sales were recorded. Butter prices were down…… Continue Reading
Iowa Farm Bureau president encouraged by reports of new U.S.-China trade framework
The president of Iowa Farm Bureau is encouraged by reports over the weekend China has agreed to a trade framework that includes purchases of U.S. soybeans. Brent Johnson grows corn and soybeans in Calhoun County. “To get to a place where it looks like we’ve got some runway here with conversations with China, our largest…… Continue Reading
Central Illinois farmer cites weather, soil differences for mixed yields
A central Illinois farmer says he hopes to wrap up harvest this week. Doug Martin, who grows corn and soybeans in Logan and Macon Counties, says yield results have been variable. “We’re probably 20 to 40 bushels below last year’s yields on corn, depending on the farm, but some are pretty close to last year,…… Continue Reading
