Latest News From Top Producer Editors

Klinefelter was an internationally known thought leader in agricultural finance, farm and ranch management, business and personnel management, and risk management.

Consider these two ways to buy a fertilizer in bulk.

MoDak Dairy, a 2023 Top Producer of the Year finalist, takes pride in producing high-quality milk in a sustainable manner that supports a bright future for their family and community.

A tactical approach to communications and marketing begins with answering 6 clarifying questions.

With 200-plus landlords and numerous vendors, agribusiness customers and employees, strong relationships are the core of Engel Family Farms, a 2023 Top Producer of the Year finalist.

Success germinates by prioritizing family and land stewardship for Silent Shade Planting Company, the 2023 Top Producer of the Year.

Marcia Ruff, the 2023 Executive Women in Agriculture Trailblazer Award winner, delights in her many roles on the farm and the opportunity to educate and advocate for agriculture and food production in the classroom.

Trey Wasserburger, the 2023 Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award winner, is redefining the conception-to-consumer beef model to live out his dream of being a cowboy.

Balance agronomics and economics to raise your average production .

Temple Grandin and Frank Mitloehner discuss the advancements in sustainability seen across the animal agriculture industry and what it means for the future.

U.S. farms are poised to turbo charge carbon reductions, but navigating this complex environment will require careful planning and understanding.

Located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation, the DX Ranch and its direct-to-consumer beef operation has a simple mission: Provide beef that is local, nutritious, and that improves their communities.

The 2020 Pro Farmer Crop Tour showed the potential of record crops

All seven states showcased soybean crops that should produce higher yields than 2017, as scouts measured some of the most heavily podded beans ever seen on Crop Tour. The story was the same in corn, except for Minnesota.

One of the world’s largest food and beverage companies is investing heavily in sourcing of cage-free eggs and focusing on sustainable production practices for numerous additional commodities.

Congratulations to Heartland Farms for being a 2018 Top Producer of the Year award finalist.

Congratulations to Bailey Farms for being a 2018 Top Producer of the Year award finalist.

Frank Howey Family Farms spans more than 30,000 acres across two states.

Although spotty, there are signs of stabilization underway in portions of the Corn Belt farmland market.

Cody Goodknight of Chattanooga received recognition in late July in Nashville, Tenn., in front of more than 150 of his peers. 

Market news and updates

Many farmers are focused on bringing in the harvest and mapping out marketing decisions for the fall and winter. Yet there are plenty of entrepreneurs willing to look past rows of corn and soybeans to the potential profit locked inside unusual plants. U.S. producers are investigating sales possibilities for crops such as hemp, pawpaw fruit and edamame, three different crops with similar challenges. Farmers who intend to grow them must learn all of their agronomic needs, crunch the numbers on costs and ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to process and market them. For those who break into a niche, the revenue can be tremendous.

Manager's Corner

Jamie Walter, CEO and president of Whiskey Acres, was in search of ways to diversify his family's 2,000-acre corn and soybean operation when inspiration hit: What if they used their grain as a feature ingredient in premium spirits such as vodka, whiskey and bourbon? In 2011, they decided to see if they could make an on-farm distillery work.

See all of the blogs, articles and videos featuring Michigan farmer Mike Stamp.

Time passes quickly when you're on a mission. Now, that farming enterprise faces the ultimate test—the need to plan for succession that embraces both family and nonfamily members.

In the last two years, the corn market saw its best pricing opportunities in the spring. As producers move into planting season, do you foresee a similar pattern setting up? What is your marketing plan for the first half of the growing season?

A new reality for production ag means big costs

No quick solution was expected on the stalemate over China’s ban on GMO corn from the U.S. in mid-March.

On the Plains and in the Corn Belt, chilly conditions and a lack of precipitation continue to deteriorate winter wheat condition.

While continuing to serve local farmers and elevator customers, Cargill plans to idle its Raleigh, N.C., soybean-processing facility due to an expected decline in demand for U.S. soybean processing.

Officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are ruling trans fats as unsafe in food because they are linked to increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Corn and soybeans have different domestic supply stories; meanwhile, there does not seem to be a global shortage of either. What will it take to assure adequate supplies of domestic soybeans?

As we continue to remove some of the uncertainty with corn and soybean crops, what would be your downside objectives for both December corn and November soybeans?

Former Top Producer of the Year winners share life lessons from farming the past three decades.

Top Producer online goes back to 2008. To reminisce about the past 30 years, flip through previous issues or check out our memorable covers.

Will your crop insurance premiums increase or decline? USDA’s Risk Management Agency has new rates, premiums and updated maps for each crop.

The Farm Bill Budget Visualizer uses interactive technology to share information in graphical form about the farm bill.

The Esther family of Beardstown, Ill., has continued to wrap up their succession plan in the past year. While the succession process never fully ends, the Esthers are nearly finished. Take a look!

More women are owning and managing farms today than ever before

USDA counts 12.5 billion bushels of capacity on U.S. farms, which is 900 million more than just four years ago.

USDA stunned the market with the release of its Aug. 11 Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports.

Pollution discrepancy with EPA; Midwest land values near record; markets wary as Japan rebuilds; biofuels must defend again

Japan copes with disaster; Chinese crush capacity boosts oil exports; alfalfa hay in high demand

Crude oil influences commodities; world watching wheat stocks; container shipments higher; consumers want steak again

Brazil fights new soybean disease; file claims against Eastern within 60 days; Biotech crop insurance available

Watch axle weights during harvest; know your state limits

Genetically modified alfalfa available; tips for negotiating with buyers; new executive ag seminar for women

Beginning farmers get grant support; big market rallies require temperance; New members in Congress will need ag schooling; watch IRS requirements for prepaying expenses