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
AgWeb Poll - Planting Season Songs
Planting
Take Our Poll: Which Song Best Describes Your Attitude to the 2023 Planting Season?
As you gear up for planting season, let’s have a little fun. Which song below best describes your attitude about #plant23?
March 10, 2023 03:17 PM
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Sara Schafer
Tillage Poll Results
Crop Production
The Results Are In: These Are the Top Two Tillage Types
With more than 1,500 responses, we have a clear winner for the two most common tillage types.
March 03, 2023 03:04 PM
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Sara Schafer
Tillage Poll
Crop Production
Take Our Poll: What Type of Tillage System Do You Use?
Each system can have its place on your farm. Which is your primary tillage practice?
March 03, 2023 02:22 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 Analysis
Jerry Gulke: What’s Hidden in USDA’s Ag Outlook Forum Data?
The acreage numbers were not too surprising, says Jerry Gulke, president of Gulke Group. What held a bigger punch was the demand picture.
February 27, 2023 08:29 AM
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Sara Schafer
FFA Owl
Succession Planning
The Story Behind Why the Owl is Emblematic in FFA
National FFA Week is a celebration of the impact the organization has across the country. To help in the celebration, Andrew McCrea shares this bit of FFA history.
February 23, 2023 05:14 PM
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Sara Schafer
You can’t always predict the weather; but you can put plans in place so you’re ready to plant in all conditions.
Planting
Ken Ferrie: Early Bird Gets the Bushels
You can’t always predict the weather; but you can put plans in place so you’re ready to plant in all conditions.
February 22, 2023 01:58 PM
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Sara Schafer
Poll results
Crop Production
Poll Results: The Majority of 500+ Farmers Have Locked In 2023 Inputs
With higher-than-average costs and spring planting on the horizon, farmers are locking in their 2023 input needs.
February 22, 2023 10:22 AM
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Sara Schafer
What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning?  Here are five trends and data sets to ponder from USDA's latest Agricultural Baseline Projections.
Market Outlooks
5 Crop and Livestock Charts to Ponder from USDA’s 10-Year Outlook
What will the next decade hold for your farm? What factors should you use to weigh investments or crop planning? Here are five trends and data sets to ponder from USDA’s latest Agricultural Baseline Projections.
February 15, 2023 03:49 PM
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Sara Schafer
Inputs Poll
Cotton
Take Our Poll: How Much of Your 2023 Inputs Are Locked In?
Early projections show a clear trend of higher input costs for 2023. Are these projections causing you to lock in inputs sooner or later? Take our poll!
February 15, 2023 07:30 AM
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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 Analysis
Jerry Gulke: Are the Grain Markets Building in a Weather Premium?
The grain markets had a good week, with prices up across the board.
February 10, 2023 02:48 PM
 · 
Sara Schafer
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