Finding the optimal planting window
Don’t rush into planting just yet. The USDA say that planting is underway in parts of the Corn belt in the latest crop progress and condition report. But, a Beck’s […]
Temps continue in a wide-range across the Heartland; moisture increasing for some
Across the Corn Belt, patchy precipitation in the upper Midwest is falling in conjunction with an approaching cold front. However, much of the Corn Belt is experiencing dry weather and […]
Mild, warm weather to accompany an ongoing, seasonally active pattern across the Heartland
Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for the likelihood of near- or above-normal temperatures and precipitation across most of the country. Cooler-than-normal conditions will be confined to an […]
Cattle futures higher waiting on direct trade
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, optimistic about higher direct business and the lower move in corn. June live cattle closed $.12 higher at $245.92 […]
Illinois farmer says uncertainty lingers ahead of planting season
An Illinois farmer says even though he booked his fertilizer last fall, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have concerns. Brian Corkill raises corn and soybeans in Henry County. “When you stop the flow of any product, it takes […]
Not a golden age: ag economists warn of financial pressure on farmers
Can farmers survive in the current ag economy? Joe Outlaw with Texas A&M University says it’s getting more difficult. “There’s more people saying I can’t do this anymore.” He says […]
Agronomist warns growers to stay ahead of corn rootworm this season
An agronomy expert says growers should prioritize pest management during the 2026 growing season. George Huckabay is the lead agronomist for Vive Crop Protection… “The biggest thing in the Midwest […]
Soybeans rise, corn and wheat fall ahead of WASDE report
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying. Brazil’s harvest is nearing completion, with record harvest all but confirmed, while early harvest activity is ongoing in Argentina. Stateside, […]
MU’s FAPRI: fertilizer price relief could take longer than expected
A senior research economist with MU’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute says once the Middle East conflict ends, it will take some time for fuel and fertilizer prices to […]
Diversifying the Corn Belt
Three years of research and hundreds of farmer surveys have led to a new policy brief aiming to diversify the Corn Belt. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) […]