Sara Schafer

Sara (Muri) Schafer, editor of Top Producer magazine, grew up on a family farm where they raised hogs and cattle, along with soybeans, corn, wheat, milo and hay. Since joining Farm Journal Media in 2008, she has covered a broad range of topics pivotal to the success of U.S. farmers. In addition to being an award-winning journalist, she has played several key roles with the transformative relaunch of AgWeb.com and spearheaded the Farm Journal Legacy Project expansion. Sara graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a degree in agricultural journalism and a minor in agricultural economics. She resides in Columbia, Mo., with her husband and daughter.

Latest Stories
potassium deficiency in corn
Crop Production
Be More Than Oh-K: How To Manage Your Field’s Potassium Levels
Potassium (K) is a fascinating macronutrient. In corn, it sets the stage for a healthy and vigorous plant that produces a beautiful ear.
April 17, 2023 08:00 AM
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Sara Schafer
If weather conditions allow crop yields to return to trend-line levels in 2023, prices for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and many other crops are likely to fall.
Market Outlooks
9 Charts to Analyze from the 2023 FAPRI Baseline
If weather conditions allow crop yields to return to trend-line levels in 2023, prices for corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton and many other crops are likely to fall.
April 05, 2023 01:14 PM
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Sara Schafer
Grains posted lower weekly closes, erasing all the gains of the previous week and more. Jerry Gulke sheds light on the various factors that caused the slide and what that means for market direction.
Market Outlooks
Jerry Gulke: USDA Report Equals Tight Soybean Stocks and Wiggle Room for Corn
USDA’s Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports tend to produce big price moves, and this year was no different. Jerry Gulke provides his analysis of the important data.
March 31, 2023 03:18 PM
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Sara Schafer
What A Day! Photo Collage
Crop Production
What A Day! 7 Head Scratching, Horrible and Hilarious Photos
We’ve all had one of those horrible, no good, very bad days. Check out these seven photos!
March 28, 2023 03:02 PM
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Sara Schafer
Crop Mix Poll
Crop Production
Take Our Poll: How Does Your 2023 Crop Mix Compare to 2022?
With the Prospective Plantings report out on Friday, share with us how your crop mix is shaping up for 2023.
March 28, 2023 02:45 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
Grains posted lower weekly closes, erasing all the gains of the previous week and more. Jerry Gulke sheds light on the various factors that caused the slide and what that means for market direction.
Market Analysis
Jerry Gulke: Can the Prospective Plantings Report Change the Market Tide?
Given the collapse in the grain markets, will USDA’s report on March 31 matter this year? Jerry Gulke provides his insights.
March 24, 2023 02:51 PM
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Sara Schafer
Grains posted lower weekly closes, erasing all the gains of the previous week and more. Jerry Gulke sheds light on the various factors that caused the slide and what that means for market direction.
Market Outlooks
Jerry Gulke: What Impact Will the Financial Black Swan Have on Agriculture?
The financial industry was hit with a black swan due to the shuttering of two high-profile banks. This has implications for ag markets and lessons for farmers, says Jerry Gulke of Gulke Group.
March 17, 2023 04:37 PM
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Sara Schafer
Plant Song Poll
Planting
Poll Results: This Song is The Top Anthem for #Plant23
Here’s to a safe planting season and a fantastic playlist.
March 16, 2023 12:36 PM
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Sara Schafer
2022 Farmland Trends
Farmland
How Many Farms Are in the U.S.?
Total land in farms decreased 1.9 million acres to 893,400,000 acres in 2022 versus 2021. Here is other noteworthy farmland data, courtesy of USDA’s Farms and Land in Farms 2022 Summary.
March 15, 2023 04:17 PM
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Sara Schafer
Drought Outlook
Planting
Planting Forecast: Will Spring Rains Undo Winter’s Sins?
Winter is not the high precipitation time frame for many portions of farm country, Snodgrass says. One spring storm system can deliver the same amount of soil moisture as all the snowfall during the winter.
March 14, 2023 09:09 AM
 · 
Sara Schafer
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