News
Today’s agriculture headlines and expert perspectives serving farmers, ranchers, crop consultants, livestock nutritionists and the entire U.S. ag community.
A new report spotlights how agricultural acquisitions and business strategy linked to the Chinese government have amassed production and power, and it’s being called into question by policy thinktank America First Policy Institute (AFPI).
Growers say they remain cautiously optimistic and believe the U.S. is “headed in the right direction.” But they want the gridlock with China to end and for actual steps to be taken to get their crops sold and shipped.
As fertilizer prices and demand hold firm this fall, Josh Linville with Stone X Group warns prices could climb higher if reported government aid payments arrive this year.
As fertilizer prices remain high, cotton specialists urge growers to conduct timely soil tests to identify nutrient surpluses, reduce input costs, and enhance overall soil health for the upcoming 2026 season.
Mark Knight, Farmer’s Keeper Financial says,"China did keep 10% tariffs in place. So,it’s really a 13% total tariff for incoming soybeans. Argentina and Brazil get charged 3%. And so we’re still 10% higher than that.”
As crops go into bins, growers will be looking to maintain quality until their marketing opportunities improve. Some ongoing management practices are vital to the process.
Meteorologist Brian Bledsoe says a strong ridge is keeping much of the U.S. warm and dry through mid-November, extending drought across key farm regions, but a pattern shift may bring some relief, and possibly even snow.
The tariff cut still leaves Chinese buyers of U.S. soybeans facing tariffs of 13%, a cost traders said makes U.S. shipments too expensive for commercial buyers, compared to Brazilian alternatives.
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Farmers are likely to apply more NH3 this fall, given its availability and price point relative to other nitrogen sources. Chase Dewitz shares a recent experience that occurred on his farm as a reminder that the product deserves to be handled with careful attention and respect.
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Bitcoin will fundamentally change farming forever, contends a growing chorus within agriculture.
The White House says China will buy 12 MMT of U.S. soybeans in late 2025 and 25 MMT annually through 2028, plus resume U.S. sorghum and hardwood log imports, clearing confusion over comments from Secretary Bessent.
While many farmers in the state were delighted by the results the 2025 season delivered, that wasn’t the case everywhere. In some areas, Mother Nature delivered a series of agronomic problems that dominoed and turned a potential bin buster crop into one that was average at best by harvest.
From the Kinzenbaw collection with more than 150 antique beauties to a late-model lineup in Canada and a couple dealer inventory reduction auctions, Machinery Pete says it will be a big week on the circuit.
Kansas State University’s Joe Parcell says livestock revenues make up more than half of the state’s projected $6.2 billion increase, but volatility across its rural economies signals continued uncertainty ahead.
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USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden confirms the agency is preparing assistance that will be released once the government gets back to work.
Agronomists answer farmer questions about the role of nitrogen and other nutrients in lessening the potential impact of yield robbers such as southern rust and tar spot in corn.
Meat Institute report analyzes the state of beef cattle markets and points out current pricing myths.
Details are minimal so it’s not clear how there will be enough staff to provide the Milk Production, Crop Production, Cattle on Feed and WASDE reports with many still furloughed.
Strong production numbers and government policies support the thesis of higher costs for longer.
After testing thousands of varieties and a decade of trials, a new variety of winter wheat is on its way. Next season, in 2026, South Dakota producers will be able to plant SD Vivan – made with strong resistance to the state’s agronomic challenges.
The announcement Beijing is buying soybeans marks a crucial step toward achieving some market stability for U.S. growers in the near term and hope for the future. USDA’s Vaden says the purchase ‘represents a floor and not a ceiling,’ while ag economists offer a mix of optimism and caution.
Hear the latest on the government shutdown, the farm economy, including aid for farmers, and Thursday’s trade news with China.
In 2024, the U.S. exported nearly 27 million metric tons of soybeans to China.
While Nebraska’s lawsuit claims stolen water and stonewalling, Colorado says there’s no case since there’s no canal.
As a handful of corporations influences more of the agricultural supply chain, row crop growers say they are left with fewer input choices, higher prices and diminishing control over their own operations.
Retail partner Nutrien Ag Solutions is trading on trust to bring more opportunities for growers
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