Farm Economy

The benefits of free trade have been a cornerstone of economic thought for decades. Recently, though, trade agreements have become the target of a populist backlash, with opposition to trade deals emerging as a key issue in the presidential race. At the same time, new research suggests that trade led to lower wages and higher unemployment for some Americans, particularly middle-class manufacturing workers.

With billions of dollars at stake, the negotiations over Monsanto’s proposed—and so far rejected—merger with Syngenta have moved on to a very visible stage, with both companies speaking directly to shareholders, farmers, and the public.

Ethanol margins returned to the black during late spring and production bounced back from last year’s lows—increasing the corn grind and demand, even for pricey old-crop corn.

Now that the election and the threat of falling off the fiscal cliff have subsided, maybe we can shift our focus to trade.

While the fiscal cliff showdown left farmers holding their breath, resulting legislation should allow them to breathe easier.

Does the 2012 drought mean sky-high crop insurance premiums for 2013? Absolutely not, says William Murphy, administrator of USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).

We welcome your letters and opinions regarding Top Producer articles.

Farm cooperatives posted record sales and income in 2011, beating the previous record sales year of 2008 by $10 billion, according to USDA.

A panel of institutional farmland investors recently discussed their investment results and expectations.

A larger corn crop than expected; China’s on a buying spree.