Northwest (U.S.)

Winter Is Coming: Farm Equipment Prep Pointers From an Oil and Fuels Expert

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:49:56 GMT

Every winter, after fall harvest and tillage are wrapped up, farmers begin prepping farm equipment for the long slumber ahead until spring planting arrives. Or, if you plan on using that tractor or UTV to move snow or for other tasks around the farm, you need to prep your machinery for that as well.

There are several essential steps farmers need to consider for winter farm machinery use and storage, says Jonathan Woetzel. Woetzel has enjoyed a long career with Minnesota-based cooperative CHS, where he focuses on quality assurance for the Cenex brand, which is CHS’ in-house label for its fuels, lubricants and propane.

How to handle fuel

Cenex fuel at Shumaker Ringnecks Pheasant Farm

(Adam Hester )

His first piece of winter farm equipment preparation advice for farmers and fleet managers is make sure you have the right diesel fuel on hand.

“The wax that naturally occurs in diesel fuel, especially No. 2 diesel fuel, when it gets too cold, the wax crystallizes and becomes a solid form that doesn’t pass through filters very well,” Woetzel explains. “There are fuels available, like our Cenex Winter Master premium diesel fuel, that include additives to prevent gelling.”

That unwanted fuel thickening, or gelling as Woetzel calls it, is mitigated specifically by cold flow improver (CFI) additives in the fuel.

For any gasoline-fueled equipment you’re not planning on running this winter, Woetzel recommends adding a fuel stabilizer to the tank if you’re not able to empty it out prior to storage. Although, oftentimes a premium winter diesel fuel blend will already contain fuel stabilizers, so check with your fuel supplier before investing in aftermarket stabilizers.

Oil and lubricants

Oil_Analysis_Cenex_rev

Changing the oil in any equipment you store for winter is a good idea, he adds.

“I say that because used oil, if it’s been in there for quite some time, has lost some of its ability to prevent rust and corrosion,” Woetzel says. “So, get the old oil out and put in fresh oil and a new filter, and then fire it up and run it for 10 minutes or so to circulate the oil. Now all the internal engine parts are coated with oil to prevent rust and corrosion.”

The quiet winter period is also a great time to send off any used oil samples for lab analysis, which helps detect internal equipment issues (e.g., contaminants like coolant leaks or unusual engine wear), and then you can address maintenance needs before spring planting season. Most oil testing services turn samples around in 48 hours and will email a PDF of the results.

Another consideration is oil type. You want engine oil that will flow quickly as the machine starts up. Woetzel says you want to use high-quality synthetic oil.

“A full synthetic gives better cold starting capabilities and lubrication,” he adds. “And you want to make sure you have the right viscosity grade, like a 5W-40. That 5W means it’s going to flow very well right away at cold startup and work well in cold temperatures.”

Coolant and antifreeze

dan anderson coolant

Because coolants and antifreeze are formulated for a wide range of temperatures, there’s not much to worry about in that regard. Woetzel does recommend checking your owner’s manual for the manufacturer’s recommended coolant change intervals, and if you’re due for a coolant swap, get that done (and a coolant flush) before winter hits.

If you’ve purchased a used machine that’s already full of antifreeze, but you’re not sure what type or if it’s the right formulation for your climate, there are handheld testers that you can purchase to verify the fluid’s actual freeze point.

Finally: hit those grease points

types of grease

(Dan Anderson)

Take a second and think about when you last greased up all the grease points on your tractor, combine, planter or tillage tool, Woetzel says. If you’re putting the machine into storage and won’t need it until it warms up, a standard No. 2 grease is good for spring, summer and fall. If you’re going to keep using it during the winter, he recommends using a No. 1 grease.

“We tell them to switch to a No. 1 grease, which is softer and easier to pump, and it flows better,” Woetzel explains.

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New 2026 Balers and Hay Tools Launched By Case IH, John Deere, New Holland, And Vermeer

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 17:01:15 GMT

Case IH’s new RB6 series variable chamber round baler offers durability and less maintenance with triple seal bearings throughout the machine. This ensures contaminants stay out while lubricants stay in to maintain optimal operation.

The RB566 model includes several enhancement options:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New double roller windguard increases compression and control for OSF pickups, allowing for increased capacity and ground speed.
The new Bale Weigh capability allows operators to monitor and record individual bale weight on an ongoing basis via in-cab monitoring. This capability weighs the bale in chamber without pausing the machine.
Pro 700 Plus display or Pro 1200 display compatibility.
FieldOps machine and telematics data via mobile and web apps have the ability to monitor individual bale data such as drop location, weight and moisture content.

“Another thing we’ve done is, on our pickup, we’ve went to a double roller windguard on the 566. Our customers who are bailing a lot of corn stalks, they’re dealing with some big windrows,” says Brian Williams, livestock product specialist, CNH Industrial. “And what this does is it pushes those windrows down and smashes them out and allows them to feed into the baler more fluidly so they can go faster.”

The RB6 series is manufactured in the U.S. in New Holland, Penn. , and order writing is open now. Orders signed this fall will begin shipping in March 2026.

John Deere intros V452M Round Baler with stepped-up automation features

(John Deere)

John Deere says its new V452M round baler provides enhanced productivity and precision ag tech integration for hay and forage operations.

The V452M headlines a newly updated lineup of VR and CR round baler models, introducing a new naming convention and advanced features purpose-built for heavy crop and silage conditions, while the current 1 Series round balers will continue to serve customer baling needs.

Expanding the versatility of John Deere’s round baler lineup, the VM, VR and CR lineup updates include variable-chamber and variable-wrapping combination models.

Key features of the V452M include:

Advanced Bale Chamber Technology: Three starting rolls and two belt drive rolls ensure consistent bale rotation.
Larger Bale Chamber: 4-by-5½ feet chamber width to maximize bale weight.
High-Density Silage Capability: Produces silage bales up to 11.7 pounds per cubic foot.

The full updated Model Year 2026 Deere baler lineup introduces several features to boost productivity (capabilities vary by model):

Industry-Leading Gate Cycle Time: As fast as three seconds for more bales per hour.
Moisture Sensors and Bale Scales: Seamlessly connect to the free John Deere Operations Center for near real-time bale documentation and yield insights.
G5 or G5e Monitor for in-cab adjustments and data-driven decisions.
High-Capacity Feeding System: A 7.2-foot-wide five-bar pickup handles heavy windrows with ease.
Baler Automation With New Unplug Assist automatically stops the tractor when the target bale size is reached and manages the gate cycle. When needed, Unplug Assist automatically stops the tractor and disengages the PTO when a plug is detected.

The VM, VR and CR balers will begin shipping in November 2025. For more information, contact your local John Deere dealer

New Holland rolls out Roll-Belt 1 Series Balers

(New Holland)

New for model year 2026, New Holland is introducing three updated Roll-Belt 1 Series models designed to work smarter, bale faster and ensure producers stay connected.

New Holland says feeding performance gets a boost with its Roll-Belt 451, 461 and 561 models. A newly designed single roller windguard now comes standard on all OSF (OverShot Feeder) pickup models. And a larger 8.4" roller — 60% larger in diameter than its predecessor — helps better compress the crop mat and improve feeding into the chamber.

For those baling larger windrows, a new dual roller windguard is available as an upgrade option on the 561 model. The front and rear rollers pivot independently, providing adaptive control in variable crop and ground conditions. Operators can also lock both rollers together when compressing loose or fluffy windrows.

“Each of these three models has a distinct fit. Take, for example, the Roll-Belt 561. In corn stalks, it truly shines,” says Alex Berwager, livestock and dairy business manager, New Holland. “We’re seeing a 16% improvement in feeding capacity thanks to the dual roller windguard, jumping from 43 to 50 tons per hour. That means less plugging from the controlled crop flow and greater productivity to tackle more when your time is short.”

Vermeer launches fleet of new baler and hay tools for 2026

(Vermeer)

Vermeer’s new model year 2026 baler and hay tool launch is led by the all-new ZR-2200 self-propelled baler.

The launch fleet also includes:

604 S series balers
605S Rancher baler
ZR-2200 self-propelled baler with the Z604S bale chamber
3 new models of carted wheel rakes.

“We’ve taken feedback from dealers and hay producers to build equipment that’s intuitive, durable and designed to deliver results,” said Shane Rourke, managing director of forage, Vermeer.

604S Premium Baler

(Vermeer)

The new 604 S series balers come in three models: Rancher, Signature and Premium (shown above).

Vermeer says the machines are built to help producers get more 6’x4' (1.8-m by 1.2-m) bales put up in a day.

The 604S Rancher is a reliable, straightforward option for value-focused producers who want durable components and convenient operation.
The 604S Signature features enhanced driveline capacity and rugged components, ideal for high-volume operations.
The 604S Premium pulls out all the stops with smart automation, comfort-focused features and productivity tools that help operators work faster, smarter and with less effort.

All three models share common components — including the camless wide pickup with a hydraulic pickup lift, a mechanical netwrap system and the Atlas Pro control system with in-cab density adjustments.

ZR-4S self-propelled baler.

(Vermeer)

Since the launch of the ZR5-1200 self-propelled baler in 2017, producers have consistently asked for a 4' (1.2-m) model that delivers the same level of automation, comfort and productivity.

Vermeer says it is answering that request with the new ZR-2200 self-propelled baler with the Z604S bale chamber (ZR-4S). The ZR-4S (pictured above) features zero-turn maneuverability, integrated automation and a premium cab packed with operator-focused features.

From auto tie and eject to real-time bale data and TempSense bearing temperature monitoring, the ZR-4S self-propelled baler is built to keep operators productive, informed and comfortable.

VRC Carted wheel rake

(Vermeer)

Three new carted wheel rakes — the VRC820, VRC1022 and VRC1224 — offer robust construction, updated hydraulics, and simple adjustments to help producers get the most out of every pass.

With raking widths ranging from 20' (6 m) to 24' (7.3 m), these rakes are designed for longevity and ease of use for operators of all sizes.

Full availability on these new hay tools is expected in Spring 2026.

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All The Details: Inside John Deere’s New F8 and F9 Forage Harvesters

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 18:20:36 GMT

John Deere is rolling out two new forage harvesters for North American dairy producers and custom harvesting operations.

The brand new F8 and F9 Series feature three factory-installed operator cab options, a technology stack that will one day enable autonomous operation, and enhanced feed quality via an integrated inoculant dosing system.

How are F8 and F9 different?
The F8 Series (425PS to 645PS) is a narrow base model that takes the place of Deere’s 8000 Series forage harvester, while the F9 Series (700PS to 1020PS) replaces the 9000 Series. Within the F9 Series is the F9 1000, which is Deere’s largest forage harvest machine to date.

(Editor’s Note: “PS” stands for Pferdestärke, which is the German term for horsepower. PS to horsepower is not an apples-to-apples equal ratio. The F9 1000, for example, features 1020PS which equates to 1,006HP, according to the manufacturer.)

The F9 is available in two engine options:

John Deere 18X (no DEF required)
Liebherr V12 24L

It has five horsepower options, while the F8 comes with the JD14X engine and can be configured across six horsepower options.

The manufacturer last rolled out completely new forage harvesters in 2019.

How much will each new model cost?

The feed rolls on John Deere’s F8 and F9 forage harvesters have integrated metal detection to keep unwanted material out of your feed.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

John Deere is not sharing its pricing just yet, but the two new models are built at its Zweibrucken, Germany, factory. John Deere dealers will begin taking orders for the aggressively styled, technology-packed harvesters this fall, with final delivery in time for the 2026 forage harvesting season.

Deere representatives declined comment on what effect, if any, the still-developing U.S.and E.U. tariff situation could have on its launch plans.

Ahead of the launch, Farm Journal went to Madison, Wisc., to kick the tires and learn all about the new machines. The F8 and F9 harvesters we viewed and climbed into were the first finished production units off the factory line. Deere says several units will be field tested with U.S. customers ahead of the full fall launch.

“We’re really excited about the new cab and the technology we’ve added to these machines like central tire inflation, ground speed automation and the new kernel processing units,” says Bergen Nelson, go-to-market manager, combines and forage harvesters.

Here’s some of what we learned about the new forage harvesters:

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Cab Comforts: The same three operator cab options offered with Deere’s X and S Series combines — Select, Premium and Ultimate — are available on the F8 and F9 Series. A smoothly swiveling captain’s chair, as well as an all-new corner post display that shows real-time machine data, are among the additions. Operators who spend long hours in the cab will also appreciate integrated entertainment like SXM Radio and an optional mini fridge.

(Matthew J. Grassi )

Foundational Deere Tech Stack: Each new forage harvester in the series includes Deere’s baseline precision tech enablement stack — which consists of its G5 display, Starfire 7500 receiver and JDLink modem.

Central Tire Inflation System: A completely new feature (top left inset photo) within the G5 display allows the operator to adjust front tire PSI up or down from the cab.

John Deere Inoculant Dosing System 2.0

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Inoculant Dosing System 2.0: New on both the F8 and F9, a high-volume 85 gallon inoculant tank and integrated pump allow the user to accurately adjust silage inoculant dosage rates from the G5 display in the cab. The system is easy to pump and prime as well with the touch of a button located at the rear of the machine.

Ground Speed Automation: This cruise control-like option reads RPMs and throttles the harvester up or down based on crop conditions. For example, harvesting corn at higher moisture levels will increase power output, so the machine will automatically slow down to ensure it doesn’t plug up or do a sub-optimal job harvesting. This feature comes standard on all base models for both series and does not require a yearly subscription unlock or per-acre fee.

Pro Touch Harvest: Another new feature within the G5 display allows the operator to shift the machine from road transport mode to harvest mode in a single click. It can also be used to quickly engage AutoTrac and ground speed automation once the operator arrives at the edge of field.

This all-new XStream 305 Kernel Processing (KP) unit is built by Scherer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Kernal Processing (KP) Units: The new harvesters feature two completely redesigned KP units, the Ultimate 250 (also made in Germany) and the Scherer XStream 305, which is made in Sioux Falls, S.D. An integrated winch and internal rail mounting system makes switching the machine from corn forage to hay forage in the field quick and simple. The number signifies each KP unit’s roll diameter width in millimeters.

“Both KPs will go in both machines and have four different roll options depending on how aggressive the dairyman wants their end feed quality to be,” says Shane Campbell, product marketing manager, forage harvesters.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

Integrated Harvest Lab 3000: This on-demand constituent sensing module pulls over 4,000 samples per second with +/- 2% accuracy, and John Deere says it can save dairy operations time and money versus collecting and sending samples to a lab. The sensor tech (available as an add-on option) enables accurate measurement and documentation of dry matter, starch, protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber for both harvested forage and manure. The data can be stored, organized and shared via Deere’s Operations Center. Within Operations Center, users can take geo-referenced data and build out spatial starch content — as well as moisture and protein — maps for hybrid selection and fertility management. Because if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Active Fill Control 3.0: Using sensors and cameras on the grain spout, this tech feature automatically detects the trailer or grain cart next to the forage harvester and begins filling it with a preselected fill strategy. This reduces the number of times an operator has to adjust the spout manually and also lessens fatigue and neck strain, according to Deere.

(Matthew J. Grassi)

New Operating Modes: Several of the models within the F9 Series offer what Deere is calling its “Engine Power Plus” feature — which gives a sizeable horsepower boost when the machines senses it needs a little extra chopping power to the harvesting head. There is also an ECO mode that can be toggled on when the machines don’t need the extra torque.

Ease-Of-Access: Both models have side and rear panels that easily open to grant full access to the inner workings of the machines, making the new forage harvesters much easier to service and maintain without a lift or other heavy specialized equipment. The machine is setup so techs and mechanically-minded farmers will not have to climb underneath it to perform daily maintenance.

“At the end of the day, we know it’s all about the cow, and these machines will put out quality feed,” Nelson says. “We’ll have these out at the farm shows this summer, including Farm Progress Show, World Ag Expo, World Dairy Expo and the U.S. Custom Harvesters Convention.”

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Trending Used Farm Equipment: Pre-DEF Still Prime, Regional Needs And Insights For Dealers

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:03:11 GMT

Strong auction pricing is holding across all types of used farming equipment, and older, pre-DEF combines and tractors are leading the bump-in-value charge.

For example, the average auction price on a used John Deere S670 combine today sits at just over $82,000, whereas last year it settled in at the $80,000 mark. Keep in mind that used combines are a market bell weather, often signaling trends 12 months to 18 months ahead the high-horsepower tractor segment.

Check out this example from Machinery Pete’s Facebook:

And this 2012, high-hour pre-DEF John Deere 8360R tractor is another solid example.

“The biggest driver right now is total numbers sold, which is way off from last year and from 2023,” Machinery Pete says on the latest episode of the Moving Iron podcast. “We’ll see what happens for the rest of 2025, but total volume is down and we see the same thing with late-model tractors — there just hasn’t been as many sold at auction. But the older machines are holding their value a little better (than late-model machines), that’s the bottom line.”

Pete’s fellow podcast host, Casey Seymour, thinks one of the biggest issues holding used farm equipment sales down today are high interest rates. Dealers with high inventories are stuck with big interest payments for the machines stuck on the lot, which gives them pause when it comes time to bring in new machines or pursue more trade-ins.

“I think a lot of dealers were hoping we’d start to see the buying activity pick up. We’re seeing some activity, but it’s just not fast enough. That flywheel’s not turning fast enough,” he says. “It’s just starting to turn a little bit, but the speed and velocity dealers look for isn’t there yet.”

Pete and Seymour both sense a strong fall harvest could be just the thing to pull more buyers back into the market. Pete thinks the current buying activity hiatus will be shorter and sharper than the one that took hold during COVID.

“We’ve basically hit a stabilization point. If we see another big push to auction at the end of the year, I’m not 100% convinced we’ll see a huge uptick or downtick in pricing,” Seymour adds.

Know Your Locals
Regionalism is everywhere in farming, and it certainly extends to the world of farm equipment. Farmers in the open-acre, pivot-ringed fields of the Nebraska panhandle — where Seymour lives — have different machinery needs than farmers in the gently rolling Kansas foothills.

If you’re a used equipment dealer, Seymour says you must understand the needs of the local farmer and have a good feel for how many regionally configured machines you can move in your area. It also helps to have connections in the heavy equipment transport world so machines you sell via online auction can get to a farmer a few states over without a giant transportation fee.

“The chances of that 25' variable tillage rig selling around Cheyenne or Wells County are pretty slim, unless it’s a smaller outfit,” says Aaron Fintel, used equipment specialist with 21^st Century Equipment. “I always try to be dialed in enough that I know exactly where that thing is going to sell. Maybe it came out of Illinois, and I sold that same guy a really nice 40' rig. Now I would bet some guy near Columbus will call about the 25-footer.”

Rounding out the rest of this week’s episode of the Moving Iron Podcast is a segment on the latest commodity market happenings with Shawn Hackett, president and CEO of Hackett Financial Advisors, and an update from John Deere’s Ryan Stien on how growers are using Operation’s Center to organize, view and share all of their machine data within one digital platform.

Want more Moving Iron? Head over to YouTube to watch the full episode and make sure you hit the “subscribe” button to get every new episode.

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Goodbye, La Niña? Eric Snodgrass Dissects What the Shift Means for Weather This Spring and Summer

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:12:49 GMT

La Niña is weakening, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) expects neutral conditions to develop in the next month . But even with La Niña fading, meteorologists are still concerned about drought this spring and summer.

NOAA this week said forecasters expect ENSO-neutral conditions to develop in the next month and persist through the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. According to NOAA, La Niña’s signature is cooler-than-average surface water in the east-central tropical Pacific, stronger-than-average trade winds, and drier conditions over the central Pacific.

ENSO-neutral means conditions could be close to average, but Eric Snodgrass, Nutrien’s principal atmospheric scientist, says that doesn’t mean the weather will be normal this spring and summer.

“I do expect changes,” Snodgrass says. “Think about it like this: The previous winter was an El Niño winter, and it was very mild and very wet. So, we got into spring ’24 with tons of moisture. I mean, Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota flooded out. Then we had this incredibly dry fall as the La Niña began, and it reached a peak twice. It actually hit a peak in December, and then a secondary peak about a month later at the end of January. It’s been fading ever since. The big question is, as we go into neutral conditions for this upcoming growing season, is it going to be one that paints a picture of precipitation extremes? Did it leave us with any sort of kind of problems from winter that are carrying over?”

Snodgrass says the severe weather outbreaks on Friday, that brought high winds, dust storms and wildfire warnings across the Plains, is a reminder how dry it is in the Southwest.

“We’ve got major pockets of the country that are still dealing with some pretty big drought conditions. It is fading, and that is a signal we have to pay attention to,” Snodgrass says.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey is also concerned about what impact the shifting pattern will have on farmers this spring. But it’s not just the dryness. It’s also the fact areas are getting inundated with rains that could pose problems.

“With this stormy weather pattern in place, that is going to create some difficulty for spring field work in some areas. It looks like the primary storm track may be through parts of the middle of the country extending into the lower Midwest and eventually the interior northeast. That is one area where we already have fairly wet conditions,” Rippey says.

How sea surface temperatures in the Niño-3.4 region of the tropical Pacific changed over the course of all La Niña events since 1950 (gray lines) and 2024-25 (black line). This shows the traditional calculation for Niño-3.4, the monthly temperature compared to the most recent 30-year average (1991–2020 for the 2024 line). By this measure, the La Niña threshold was crossed in December 2024, but La Niña remains weak.

(NOAA)

La Niñas and El Niños Are Strongest in the Winter
Snodgrass points out La Niñas and El Niños are always strongest in Northern Hemisphere’s winter, which means they fade in spring and summer.

While La Niña-like conditions were a trademark in late fall, we didn’t reach the official definition of La Niña until January.

“The atmosphere way back in November was already treating our winter timeframe like a La Niña,” Snodgrass says. So, we were getting the influences of it as it comes in and goes out. And now the question is, what’s it going to do?”

February 2025 sea surface temperature compared to the 1985-1993 average. The surface of the east-central tropical Pacific is slightly below average temperature, but much of the global ocean remains warmer than average.

(NOAA )

“This is a great map to look at,” Snodgrass says, referencing the map above. “If you focus right in the middle, you see the large area of the cooler colors. Our line is now shifting to the central and West Pacific and behind it over by South America. All of the warmer water is beginning to emerge. And that’s what’s killing it because there’s a trade wind across that area from the east to the west. We’re going to watch this fade carefully during the spring. But the question is: Do we get winter’s leftovers?”

What Fueled the Dryness This Winter?
During the winter, Snodgrass points out there was no subtropical jet. That’s what fueled drought in the Southwest and Northwest.

“I’m actually kind of worried about the beginning of April having another shot at cold air after what we’ve been experiencing in March, which has been so very, very mild. Then you say, well, we’ve had so much dry air in place. Are we still worried about more dry air coming back? To be honest, these big storm systems coming through the central U.S., if we could get four, maybe five more of those by early April, we’re going to hate it. It’s nasty weather. It’s not fun, and it’s dangerous, but it returns moisture. That could be part of the mix of things, including the fading of La Niña that could help bring us away from these major early season drought risk scenarios.”

55% of corn production, 46% of soybean production, 33% of the cotton growing area and 27% of the winter wheat production are currently experiencing drought.

(U.S. Drought Monitor )

Growing Drought Concerns
What if it doesn’t? What if we don’t see more of this severe weather hit the Southwest and Plains, and moisture remains absent as we get into the height of spring? Well, the area will enter into the height of the growing season dry and reduce their chances of seeing moisture this summer.

“That’s a box we check every spring,” Snodgrass says. “If the drought monitor saw a reduction in drought over winter, then that gives us a different look for spring. But what we see here is two-thirds of the country in some stage of drought, including the abnormally dry category. But it’s the epicenters of drought that are so concerning. Look at the Western Corn Belt. Look at the Southwest. We just wonder if that funnels into the Mississippi Valley as we go forward.”

At the same time some areas are seeing drought, Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and the boot heel of Missouri are all experiencing heavy rains and flooding.

“By May 11, I want to know what the drought monitor map looks like. If it looks no different, then I’m going to be sounding alarms going into summer with concerns this will start to creep and move because as soon as we get into the summer weather, all we get is convective storms pop off. And what do they do? They just locally deliver rain - not big broad swaths of it,” Snodgrass says.

Tale of Two Weather Scenarios
He says the forecast leading up to May 11 is a tale of two weather patterns, with the Mississippi River being the dividing line for moisture.

“If you are along it and east of it, I think we’re going to have tight windows to plant. You could include a little bit more of Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota in that as well,” Snodgrass says. “I think we’re going to see repeated storm systems. The best moisture is east. It keeps avoiding that southern plains area.”

What to Watch: Where the Storm Chasers End Up
Snodgrass says if storm chasers are busying chasing severe weather across the Ohio Valley, the mid-south and the southeast, but not in Kansas and the Plains, that’s a key indicator there’s a problem with the moisture getting back into the plains.

“If it’s not there by the time we start June, it’s very difficult to rely on the atmosphere to return it once you get into the summer months if you live in the central plains, which is where they could build from,” he adds.

To watch the complete discussion with Snodgrass, visit Farm Journal TV and take advantage of the free trial.

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A Tale Of Two Crops: Farmers Struggle Against Flooding And Drought

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 15:23:00 GMT

This week’s USDA crop progress report shows conditions continuing to decline for corn and soybeans. For corn, 69% is in good to excellent condition (down 3% from last week). The total soybean crop in good to excellent condition is also down 3% - from 70% last week to 67% this week.

And while some growers have severe drought to blame, others can point to extreme flooding.

This June has held two different extremes--

💧One of the wettest on record for the Upper Midwest/Northern Plains

☀️While being one of the driest on record for the Ohio Valley/Mid-Atlantic

👉The rest of the month? More rain for the Upper Midwest while drier than normal… pic.twitter.com/aWVZ1o5gsB
— BAM Weather (BAMWX) (@bamwxcom) June 23, 2024

In Iowa, growers might need to grab a life jacket before going to check their fields.

Abby and I went out and scouted a little bit of corn this afternoon. pic.twitter.com/yBBLsAjFkp
— Pete Crew. (Not the sharpest knife in the drawer). (@pete_90210) June 23, 2024

Last year we had 5.5" rain during growing season and this farm averaged 240 bu. This year 16" so far in May/June. pic.twitter.com/wOsGJsH4hm
— Living the dream (@NeIowaFarmer) June 22, 2024

Rock Valley, IA Flooding today. What a trainwreck pic.twitter.com/rumOfxyslQ
— Chris VB🐷🐖🌾🚤⛳ (@chrsvnbk) June 22, 2024

South Dakota farmers are having a similar experience - with this operation reporting 10" of rain in one day.

Water running into lake, yes my folks have house here! My farm is completely engulfed, can’t get within 15 miles. Animals safe, daughter safe we appreciate all of the kindness. Stay safe ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NvVMjqXDas
— ChelLewis (@LewisEQAcademy) June 24, 2024

The Oklahoma Pork Council has even started work to help those affected by the flood.

We are working to support our friends in the panhandle with food and other assistance as they recover from severe flash flooding. If you know of a direct need that our alliance of great community members can help meet, please give us a call or email us at kdeniz@okpork.org. pic.twitter.com/KT0meG0k5H
— Oklahoma Pork (@Okpork) June 19, 2024

But it seems the rain is only falling in one part of the country as farmers further east are hoping the skies open up soon.

Somewhere between the flood and us

It is just right pic.twitter.com/jUvV2wWBTY
— Stephen Ellis 190/58 (@sellis_1994) June 22, 2024

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— NWS Climate Prediction Center (@NWSCPC) June 24, 2024

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A Potential Setback For Fieldwork Is On The Way

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:46:36 GMT

Though we’ve passed the official first day of spring, winter weather still poses a threat to growers in the North itching to start planting. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says changes are on the way over the next several days for the Northern Plains and Midwest regions that could delay planting progress.

“We are expecting a snowstorm to arrive across the Northern Plains and upper Midwest Thursday, and a second storm arriving over the weekend into early next week,” Rippey says.

He adds areas that have been experiencing snow drought this winter, such as Minnesota and northern Iowa, could potentially see more snowfall in the next few weeks than they have all winter. This map from NOAA shows snowfall accumulation - or lack thereof - across the country between late September and mid-March.

But while winter weather attempts to slowdown planting in the North, Rippey says growers in the South have gotten a significant head start. As of March 17, Texas reported 34% of corn and 27% of sorghum acreage has already been planted, while Arizona has completed 2% of cotton planting.

“The bottom line is, for many parts of the country, spring has come early and we expect planting to be normal or ahead of normal given soil conditions,” he says. “But as we focus on some of those northern areas, we do expect deteriorating conditions for pre-planting fieldwork due to these late-season snowstorms.”

Rippey adds rain is in the outlook for the South, but he doesn’t anticipate it delaying planting progress.

Are You Ready For the Polar Plunge? Some Areas Could See Temperatures Plummet to Negative 40 Degrees

Fri, 12 Jan 2024 20:12:40 GMT

There’s only one way to describe the cold taking hold of the U.S. right now.

“It’s going to be nasty,” says Drew Lerner, an agricultural meteorologist and founder of World Weather. “If you are out in the northwestern Great Plains, it is going to be unbearable.”

Lerner says as snow barrels across the upper Midwest, the cold is creeping into the picture. By this weekend, the frigid temperatures will blanket much of the U.S., but the western Great Plains will be in the bullseye of the cold.

“We are going to see temperatures drop to minus 47 in Montana. Temperatures in the negative 30s and negative 20s will occur in the rest of Montana, as well as in the western parts of the Dakotas, and southward into a part of Wyoming and also western Nebraska.

Those frigid temperatures are for the actual temperature, not even how cold it will be when the wind chill is factored in. Lerner says considering how cold it’s going to be, he thinks temperature records will be broken.

“Not only in the northern Great Plains, there may be a couple of spots in the Central Plains,” say Lerner. “But mostly the northern Plains and into Canada will see records. In western Canada’s prairies, we will probably see at least a couple of locations get down to minus 50 or minus 49, somewhere in there. So, yes, there will be record cold. Now, for the Midwest, probably not so much. But it’ll be cold enough it won’t matter.”

Lerner says in parts of the upper Midwest and Red River Basin, temperatures will still drop into the negative teens.

Dangerous for Livestock

It’s Montana and portions of the northern Great Plains that are smashing records with this cold. With minus 30 to minus 40 degree forecasts in some areas, it’s the vicious swing in the temperatures that is what makes the weather such a threat to livestock.

“From a livestock perspective, some of these temperatures are just going to be brutal,” says Lerner. “The animals in Montana have not been adequately hardened against the winter weather because it’s been so warm. They’ve had 50- and even some 60-degree temperatures in the past couple of weeks.”

From 40 degrees above zero earlier this week to now a 40-degree below zero forecast for the coming days, Lerner says it’s dangerous for livestock.

“The situation is going to be stressful for the animals. There might be some reduction in milk production for the dairy areas, and then we’ve got a little potential for some weight-gain concerns in beef cattle country. That might be an issue,” says Lerner. “And of course, in the hogs’ area, we probably will have some stress. I just don’t think there’s going to be as much of a potential for a big issue there.”

Little Snow Cover Puts Winter Wheat at Risk

From cattle to crops, winter wheat may be exposed to the cold. Lerner doesn’t expect any major problems with damage, but he says what makes the wheat crop at such risk is the fact there’s little to no snow cover in that part of the Great Plains.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a widespread problem. But in some areas with what little snow is going to be on the ground, the potential is still there that there could be damage done to the crop,” says Lerner.

Stratospheric Warming Causing the Polar Plunge

As much of the U.S. braces for the cold, the positive in the forecast is Lerner thinks the arctic air will be fairly short-lived.

“The whole reason for this event is due to stratospheric warming that took place in late December,” he says. “Stratospheric warming is literally warming that occurs in the stratosphere, that is outside of where we live and outside of where the weather lives.”

The weather lives in the troposphere, which is the layer below the stratosphere. Lerner explains that when the stratosphere turns warmer, it expands that layer in the atmosphere and puts pressure on the troposphere.

“That forces cold air that’s aloft down to the surface. And then it gets spread out from the Arctic,” Lerner explains.

At the same time, El Nino is helping drive moisture up from the South, which is causing the severe storms the U.S. saw in areas from the Southwest to the East Coast this week.

As Lerner looks ahead, he’s not only concerned about this week’s cold in the Great Plains, but the fact the northern Great Plains may not see much moisture this winter.

“We will continue to perpetuate storms periodically across the southern U.S. into maybe the lower part of the Midwest and into the Southeast,” says Lerner. “But as far as getting big storms occurring in the western Corn Belt of the northern Great Plains or even the Central Plains that’s going to be a little bit harder to come by.”

New Survey Shows Labor is Serious Challenge for Ag Industry

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 18:00:19 GMT

A new survey from the Minneapolis Fed found ag bankers rank labor availability as a top concern for their farm clients.

The survey, which was conducted with ag bankers from the ninth district (Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin), found the issue is viewed as a “serious challenge” for 63% of respondents and a minor challenge for the majority of the remaining 37%.

“It’s becoming more and more difficult to obtain the labor needed to operate,” a Minnesota-based banker told the Minneapolis Fed.

The availability of livestock workers was seen as more limited than crop workers and those surveyed also shared that finding long-term help is more difficult than temporary help due to the seasonal nature of the ag industry.

As far as how this compares to past conditions, 39% of respondents said labor availability has gotten “much worse” over the past five years and 44% said it’s “a little worse”.

The Minneapolis Fed attributes this challenge to the region’s low influx of migrant workers and aging workforce.

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 10% of animal production employees in the area are foreign born, compared to 18% nationally. The number is even lower for crop production with just 5% of workers being foreign born, compared to 32% nationally.

The region also has some of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.

At the same time, the median age of workers in the region rose from 51 to 56 in 2021. The number of workers between 45 to 54 has declined over the past decade with a small increase of those between the ages of 25 to 44 and a large increase of those over 55.

2024 Land Value Influencers in Your Region

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:41:34 GMT

Using a combination of data with boots on the ground experience, Peoples Company has released its fourth annual land values report.

The report shows a three-year period of remarkable land appreciation across the country – something Bruce Sherrick, professor and director of the TIAA Center for Farmland Research at the University of Illinois, says has not been surprising.

“We kind of have a rolling narrative around this and quite often people will remark it’s shocking that farmland almost anticipated inflation or that it’s shocking how well that’s done through time. And I don’t think I’m surprised by that,” he says. “I’m surprised by the accuracy or the degree or the strength of that relationship if anything.”

Annual rates of return have been in the double digits for many regions. In the Northern Plains region specifically, the rate of change in the past year has been especially high.

“In the last year, what we’ve seen is really quite remarkable in the middle of the country,” Sherrick says. “That area has kind of caught up to previous years in the Midwest and Lake states.”

As far as what’s affecting land values in the rest of the country, Peoples Company breaks the data into eight regions.

Pacific West

Annual performance on permanent cropland in the Pacific West and California has suffered in recent years due to a period of low nut prices, tariffs, water challenges and high operating capital.

3 Unique Characteristics of The Permanent Crop Industry

Steve Bruere, president of Peoples Company, anticipates a lot of land transactions in the California market in 2024.

“The amount of irrigated, plantable acreage is shrinking,” he adds. “The acreage left standing will be more valuable over time because of the optionality of what you can grow on it.”

Pacific Northwest

Similar to the Pacific West, the Pacific Northwest has had a period of good returns and offers a lot of optionality of what can be grown on the land. The land values in comparison to its western neighbors, however, are much lower to produce a similar product. That factor – alongside increased access to water resources – allows the region to absorb displaced production from other areas.

“We’re seeing at least that phase of exploration on some of those fresh market crops that may have some compressed acreage and higher water costs to deal with in California looking at the Pacific Northwest, the Columbia River Basin area in particular, as a transition point,” says Dave Muth, Peoples Company’s capital markets managing director.

Southern Plains

The Southern Plains region – Texas and Oklahoma – is experiencing good land value returns despite water issues and labor complications. As these challenges continue, renewable energy projects are becoming key to the region’s profitability.

“Think about it: 20,30, or 40 years ago, when someone was looking to buy a ranch, if transmission lines ran across it, that might take it off the list. Now those same transmission lines are seen as a huge asset,” says Eric O’Keefe, editor of The Land Report. “This emphasis on energy, whether it be in terms of oil and gas or renewables including direct carbon capture, is going to be a complete game changer. I think it’s going to be driving land values in Texas for decades to come.”

Northern Plains

Total returns per year in the Northern Plains over the past three years are averaged at 18.5% - the highest in the country.

“The increase in values have been rather dramatic compared to other parts of the country in the last three-year period. Part of that’s driven by relative yield gains, but it’s also the genetics and the attention to doing genetics for this part of the country by the major seed corn and other seed producers,” Sherrick says. “It has made this a possible competitor for the rest of the country.”

The focus on foreign and corporate ownership in this area also makes it unique in comparison to other regions.

“You see a difference in these types of markets where the farmers aren’t driving values,” Bruere says. “If you take that institutional investor out of the market, it definitely impacts land values and we saw that real time this summer and Kansas and Colorado.”

Delta Market

The Delta Market – Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas – has seen the most stable returns over time when compared to other regions across the country, which makes it attractive to outside investors.

“You don’t get necessarily the same swings that we get in the Midwest in this market. And I’m really bullish – you’ve got plenty of water and you’ve got large fields,” Bruere says. “One of the issues we do struggle with in this market is the tenant pool. You don’t have that same competitive nature for tenants that you’ve gotten Midwest.”

Southeast Market

The Southeast – Florida, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina – has seen moderate returns in comparison to the other regions. The increase in severe weather as well as development in the area leads Sherrick to expect quite a bit of transition in the future.

“I’m actually not worried about land values, hardly at all in this region, for traditional agricultural things,” he says. “Land that gets displaced for a retirement community, a park, golf course or major league baseball facility aren’t reductions in value. They’re just a reduction in the use of it for agriculture.”

Lake States

The Great Lakes region is one Sherrick describes as “still trying to figure out who they’re going to be”.

“There’s great optionality, reasonable acquisition prices and massive increases in land values that have kind of kept the returns high, very correlated with inflation as well,” he says.

Though the yields in the region may not be as high as in the corn belt, the area’s total returns per year over the past three years have averaged 14%.

Corn Belt

Sherrick refers to Illinois and Indiana as indicators and predictors of what’s happening in the agriculture industry.

The region continues to have high appreciation values and above average farm incomes, though transactions have slowed in 2023. The corn belt is anticipated to have continued interest from non-operating investors.

Looking at 2024
Overall, Peoples Company reports the driving factors behind land values are income, interest rates and inflation. As we move into 2024, they expect this will begin to normalize.

Buyer demand is also expected to remain a key player.

“There’s more money that wants to own farmland in there as farmland for sale. That dynamic is not going to change in 2024,” says Bruere. “Right now it feels like interest rates are pulling back a little bit and I think the landmark is going to remain pretty stable in 2024.”

3 Unique Characteristics of The Permanent Crop Industry

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 18:27:01 GMT

As the permanent crop industry experiences a large amount of mergers and investments, Jay Graham of Western Farm Advisors joined the Top Producer Podcast to share three of the biggest factors separating permanent crop operations and row crop farms.

Graham highlights how the production of apples, almonds, grapes and more sets up growers to make decisions based on unique considerations.

Labor
Graham shares the biggest difference between row and permanent crop operations is the amount of labor needed and the costs associated with it.

“Especially here in Washington, cherries have the largest need of labor because so much of it is all hand harvested,” he says. “It’s getting much more expensive and harder to find people.”

For example, in Washington state Graham says much of the labor permanent crop producers use comes from the H-2A program – which adds to the cost of the state’s high minimum wage.

“I think H-2A as of 2023 is somewhere around $24 [per hour] and there’s a set schedule for that to go up over time,” he says. “That only looks at part of the picture because you have to supply lodging and pay for permits and travel to get everybody into the country. You’re getting pretty close to $30 [per hour] for H-2A.”

Capital Investment and Returns
The cost of land for a permanent crop operation, such as an orchard, also looks much different than for row crops.

In Graham’s area, he estimates the values for Class A orchard ground could range from $16,000 to $20,000 per acre, whereas row crop ground in the same region is closer to $9,000 to $16,000 per acre.

The increased expenses don’t end there for permanent crops.

“The capital need is just so huge to get started,” Graham says. “Depending on what product you’re talking about – if it’s apples, hopefully you have full production in about four years. If it’s cherries, you’re probably more like five or six years. Pears are even longer.”

Graham estimates the cost to produce an acre of high-density, trellised apples is between $65,000 to $70,000.

With higher production expenses in permanent crops, however, comes higher returns.

“The risk reward normally works out very well. And we’ve typically seen returns in the mid-to-high teens over the last 20 to 25 years,” Graham says. “It’s definitely been great to be in the permanent crop space over the last many years.”

Flexibility
While row crop producers can switch out their crops year-to-year based on market prices and demand, permanent crops are a longer-term decision.

“You can’t change overnight,” Graham says. “You’re putting a ton of capital in and it’s four or five years out until you’re going to have a crop. You’re just hoping that consumer preferences haven’t changed for your variety or even worse, maybe for your entire commodity.”

To hear more from Graham on the permanent crop industry, tune into his episode of the Top Producer podcast .

Top Producer of the Year Finalist: 'In Farming and Life, the Greatest Challenges Often Bring the Greatest Rewards'

Tue, 25 Jul 2023 16:58:34 GMT

Finalists for the Top Producer of the Year award represent the best in the business of farming, specifically entrepreneurial originality; financial and business progress; and industry and community leadership. This is not an award about size or scope. Instead, it focuses on professionalism, sophistication and innovation. Congratulations to Clearwater Farms, a 2022 Top Producer of the Year finalist. Christopher and Nate were recognized at a ceremony held Feb. 14 during Top Producer Summit in Nashville.

One of the biggest challenges a family farm faces is the transition from one leader to the next. But a thoughtful and purposeful plan, along with communication and respect, can build a bridge to business success. At least that was the case for Clearwater Farms in Nezperce, Idaho.

Christopher Riggers knew he wanted to play a key role on his family’s farm. After college, based on advice from his parents, he spent two years as a grain merchandiser in the Midwest to gain experience elsewhere.

In 2017, Christopher’s uncle wanted to retire, which opened a pathway for Christopher to join his father, Nathan, on the farm. Christopher and his wife, Natalie, moved to Idaho and he started as a full-time employee.

A year later, Nate was diagnosed with cancer. The father and son fast tracked their original transition plans to reduce the impact on the business and its employees. By leaning on a network of farmers across the country, Christopher took the helm as CEO. Nate, now cancer-free, serves as the CFO and business manager.

Today Clearwater Farms includes 8,800 acres of wheat, barley, canola, grass seed and fallow ground. In addition to Christopher and Nate, the team includes three full-time and three-part time employees.

They have diversified their operation by marketing grain directly to craft malt houses in the Northwest and across the country, as well as creating their own brand of finished malt.

As the Riggers look to the future, making plans for growth for their multigenerational business, Christopher says he realizes that in farming and life, the greatest challenges often bring the greatest rewards.

Travel to Idaho by watching this video produced by AgDay to visit Clearwater Farms.

The Top Producer of the Year award is sponsored by BASF, Case IH and Rabo AgriFinance.

The Online Top Producer Summit is set for Feb. 22-23 and will include live, on-demand and recorded sessions from the event in Nashville. Register now!

Did Frost Bite Your Corn Or Soybeans? Use These Tips to Assess Damage

Mon, 23 May 2022 15:40:06 GMT

The frigid air that blew through the northern Corn Belt and Mountain States over the weekend left its mark on corn and soybean fields. From burnt leaf tissue to blotchy, curled leaves, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Missy Bauer shares these tips to evaluate frost damage.

To ensure the growing point is OK, Bauer says to split open the plant from the base of the crown up.

“If the plant is a bright white to yellow color (not brown or mushy) then it should keep growing,” she explains. “Don’t be alarmed if the plant has some buggy whipping [twisted whorls] – that’s just the new tissue replacing the old tissue.”

If you see a field with some blotching and leaf damage — a white or greyish cast as you drive by — that is the damaged soybean tissue and leaves that have rolled or flipped over.

“Pay particular attention to the low-lying areas and sandier soils,” she says. “No-till fields, in many cases, are worse.”

Be diligent about scouting soybean fields to evaluate stands and determine final plant population, Bauer advises. “I am most concerned about fields already marginal on stand counts due to prior frost events,” she adds.

Bauer is comfortable keeping stands of 65,000 to 70,000, if they are uniform. To determine plant populations, follow the instructions outlined in this Purdue University Extension tip sheet to use a hula hoop for 15” and narrower rows and a yardstick for 20” and 30” rows. The Extension bulletin also has information on percent of normal yield based on final populations, which is helpful when making replant decisions.

When counting plants be sure to only count ones that will survive, Bauer adds. If the unifoliate leaves are burnt off but the cotyledons are healthy, those plants will survive. If a plant is burnt below the cotyledons, it won’t survive. If the stem below the cotyledons is not firm and doesn’t have good turgor pressure, it will also likely not survive.

At this point, Bauer says, it’s important you don’t add any more stress to corn and soybeans already under stress.

“We recommend holding off on applying your post-emergent herbicides for 120 growing degree days (or heat units) from the time of the frost,” she says. “Soybean fields that have good stands and limited frost damage can be rolled. Wait until after the 120 growing degree days and the proper growth stage on fields with heavy frost damage where plants must regrow from new growing points.”

Idaho Farmer Takes Risk, Wins Sorghum Yield Contest

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 20:59:26 GMT

Where does sorghum grow? Mainly, the southern plains, correct? Over the past two years, an Idaho farmer has won the contest for the highest sorghum yields.

AgDay’s national reporter Betsy Jibben interviewed Michael Ball and Korina Ball of Caldwell, Idaho for this month’s “Farming on the Horizon.”

Truffle Hunting: A Rare Hunt Growing In Numbers

Sun, 15 Nov 2020 19:03:53 GMT

Many people are used to hunting small and large game but what about hunting underground?

AgDay national reporter Betsy Jibben takes us on a rare hunt you can’t find just anywhere.

She talks with Paul Beckman, a farmer from Eagle, Idaho and owner of Bella Vista Farms and Richard Jimeaz, a chef at Chateau des Fleurs in Eagle, Idaho about the hunt for truffles.