Farmers are facing the highest interest rates since the time of the flip phone, and debt is out of control globally. Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Dr. David Kohl, who was on the program at the Ag Bankers Conference in Minneapolis,…

Trey Malone, the Boehlje Endowed Chair for Managerial Economics and Agribusiness at Purdue University, says the current farm economy is difficult to compare with previous downturns. “The 1980s, which is what everybody anchors toward, was a time of risk, which…

Minnesota Governor-Elect Amy Klobuchar has named her transition team. The 14-member group includes Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish representing agriculture. The transition team will advise Klobuchar on the leadership of state agencies and appointments to statewide boards and commissions.…

CHS remains at the top of the National Cooperative Bank’s annual ranking of the top 100 revenue-earning co-ops. CHS has held that spot as the country’s largest revenue-producing cooperative for 24 consecutive years. Dairy Farmers of America and Land O’Lakes…

The Democrats have flipped the House and the Senate. In the Upper Chamber, a lot of attention has been paid to Democratic wins in Texas, Michigan and Kansas. For agriculture, former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is returning to Congress. With…

Incumbent Brad Finstad, who is a farmer and member of the House Agriculture Committee, is down by just 324 votes against Democratic newcomer Jake Johnson. All other incumbents won in Minnesota, including Representatives Michelle Fischbach, Pete Stauber and Tom Emmer…

The fall cattle run is hitting its peak across the Northern Plains. Perham Stockyards owner Mitch Barthel says cattle movement is strong as harvest wraps up. “The biggest weeks are right now, the end of October through November, December.” Barthel…

New research from Purdue University suggests the financial performance gap between large and small crop farms is narrowing. Agricultural economist Michael Langemeier analyzed FINBIN farm financial records from 2007 through 2025 and found operating profit margins averaged approximately 20 percent…

President Donald Trump says a new trade agreement with Canada could allow fertilizer to enter the United States without tariffs. Trump told Fox News an agreement could be reached soon, although no final deal has been announced. Canada supplies nearly…

High fertilizer prices are influencing fall applications and planting decisions for 2027. Rock and Roll Agronomy Crop Consultant Jason Hanson says some farmers are reducing fertilizer rates to manage expenses. “There’s gonna be no fertilizer applications on that. And it’s…

Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer says the midterm election results could influence the direction of U.S. agricultural trade policy. Wiesemeyer pointed to energy costs and trade tensions with Canada as potential factors affecting voters in several states. “Probably Trump’s trade policy…

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak says lawmakers have an opportunity to advance several agricultural priorities before the current session of Congress ends. “There’s really three things on the list for me: permitting reform, the farm bill, and year round E15,”…

U.S. ethanol production increased during the week ending October 30, according to the Energy Information Administration. Nationwide output averaged 1.143 million barrels per day, with Midwest plants accounting for 1.09 million barrels. Meanwhile, national ethanol inventories slipped from 24.5 million…

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the midterm elections highlighted the financial challenges facing family farmers and ranchers. Rising fuel, fertilizer, seed and feed costs, along with tight margins and trade uncertainty, were among the concerns raised during the…

Farmers are facing the highest interest rates since the time of the flip phone, and debt is out of control globally. Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Dr. David Kohl, who was on the program at the Ag Bankers Conference in Minneapolis,…

The fall cattle run is hitting its peak across the Northern Plains. Perham Stockyards owner Mitch Barthel says cattle movement is strong as harvest wraps up. “The biggest weeks are right now, the end of October through November, December.” Barthel…

In the latest Dry Bean Scene, Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams, recaps the 2026 dry bean crop and market. Click here. 

Martinson Ag Risk Management President Randy Martinson says most grain markets remain under pressure following a difficult October. “There aren’t many markets right now that are in the hot category,” said Martinson. “Surprisingly, rice continues to be the market that…

President Donald Trump says the United States and Canada are getting closer to a new trade agreement that could benefit American agriculture. Speaking in Dubuque, Iowa, Trump said he has held recent discussions with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Trump…

A possible strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could disrupt U.S. beef and pork exports. About 250 port security workers are threatening to walk off the job if a new contract is not reached. U.S. Meat…

OPEC and its allies have agreed to keep oil production unchanged in December as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt global supplies. The decision comes with crude oil prices above $100 per barrel. Brent crude ended last week…

New research from Purdue University suggests the financial performance gap between large and small crop farms is narrowing. Agricultural economist Michael Langemeier analyzed FINBIN farm financial records from 2007 through 2025 and found operating profit margins averaged approximately 20 percent…

President Donald Trump says a new trade agreement with Canada could allow fertilizer to enter the United States without tariffs. Trump told Fox News an agreement could be reached soon, although no final deal has been announced. Canada supplies nearly…

Washington analyst Jim Wiesemeyer says the midterm election results could influence the direction of U.S. agricultural trade policy. Wiesemeyer pointed to energy costs and trade tensions with Canada as potential factors affecting voters in several states. “Probably Trump’s trade policy…

U.S. ethanol production increased during the week ending October 30, according to the Energy Information Administration. Nationwide output averaged 1.143 million barrels per day, with Midwest plants accounting for 1.09 million barrels. Meanwhile, national ethanol inventories slipped from 24.5 million…

National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says the midterm elections highlighted the financial challenges facing family farmers and ranchers. Rising fuel, fertilizer, seed and feed costs, along with tight margins and trade uncertainty, were among the concerns raised during the…

Farmers are facing the highest interest rates since the time of the flip phone, and debt is out of control globally. Virginia Tech Professor Emeritus Dr. David Kohl, who was on the program at the Ag Bankers Conference in Minneapolis,…

Trey Malone, the Boehlje Endowed Chair for Managerial Economics and Agribusiness at Purdue University, says the current farm economy is difficult to compare with previous downturns. “The 1980s, which is what everybody anchors toward, was a time of risk, which…

High fertilizer prices are influencing fall applications and planting decisions for 2027. Rock and Roll Agronomy Crop Consultant Jason Hanson says some farmers are reducing fertilizer rates to manage expenses. “There’s gonna be no fertilizer applications on that. And it’s…

Harvest wrapped up near Wyndmere, North Dakota, following a growing season marked by limited summer rainfall. Farmer Carson Klosterman says the operation was able to finish before wet weather arrived. “Corn went smooth and just glad we got that done…

A season of weather extremes near Minnewaukan, North Dakota, brought more than seven inches of rain in June, followed by barely a quarter inch by mid August. Despite those challenges, Quentin Sears says harvest went smoothly. “From a harvestability standpoint,…

Nutrien Agronomist Scott Younggren of Hallock says 99 percent of crops are in the bin, while fertilizer applications and tillage have also progressed well. Sugarbeet yields varied widely following a windy spring that forced some farmers to replant as much…

The dry bean harvest is nearly complete across the Northern Plains, but drought and fewer planted acres have reduced overall production. Johnstown Bean Company General Manager Dylan Karley says yields varied widely, with North Dakota averaging an estimated 13 to…

Brazil’s corn and soybean planting is running slightly ahead of normal, but dry conditions remain a concern in northern growing areas. World Weather Incorporated reports planting was about 2 percent ahead of the five year average as of October 30.…

In the latest Dry Bean Scene, Grand Forks area farmer Chris Adams, recaps the 2026 dry bean crop and market. Click here. 

The clean-label cultured dairy brand, Good Culture, has announced its partnership with AMPI to open a dedicated production facility at AMPI’s Blair, Wisconsin plant. The facility was built precisely to Good Culture’s standards. The Blair plant is expected to begin…

With cooler temperatures and weaning season underway, South Dakota State University Extension Cow-Calf Field Specialist Taylor Grussing encourages ranchers to monitor calf health. “Some of those calves might be starting to see some runny noses and need to be monitored.”…

A court decision dealing with the nomination process for the North Dakota Beef Commission continues to generate attention more than a week after the ruling. According to the NDBC Executive Director, Nicole Wardner, the court’s opinion focused on how members…

The Environmental Protection Agency will not finalize the air emissions process included in the 2005 compliance agreement for animal feeding operations and will move to terminate the agreement. The EPA determined the EPA data from 20 years ago was no…

With the U.S. cattle herd at historically low levels, USDA is promoting programs to expand domestic meat processing capacity. USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears told the Red River Farm Network there is interest from independent companies…

In an official statement, North Dakota Stockmen’s Association President Tim Erbele said his group respects the judicial process and is pleased the court rejected efforts to invalidate the state beef checkoff program. Erbele said the ruling does not change the…

A North Dakota district judge has removed language from the law governing the nominating process for the North Dakota Beef Commission. Six of the nine members of the beef checkoff board are nominated by the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association, North…

North Dakota Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak says lawmakers have an opportunity to advance several agricultural priorities before the current session of Congress ends. “There’s really three things on the list for me: permitting reform, the farm bill, and year round E15,”…

With the farm bill still unfinished after repeated delays, Congress has one more opportunity to act before the end of the year. Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish puts the chances of getting a farm bill through the lame-duck session…

Minnesota Governor-Elect Amy Klobuchar has named her transition team. The 14-member group includes Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish representing agriculture. The transition team will advise Klobuchar on the leadership of state agencies and appointments to statewide boards and commissions.…

Minnesota Farmers Union President Gary Wertish says rising costs and a desire for cooperation were important factors in the 2026 election. With new lawmakers heading to St. Paul, agricultural organizations will need to establish connections and communicate farmers’ priorities. “It’s…

Democrats made significant gains in the 2026 midterm elections, with Russell Group President Randy Russell pointing to voter frustration over affordability and international conflicts. “I think, you know, if you just look at some of the exit polling, that was…

Democratic gains in Minnesota’s legislative elections will bring new faces to the State Capitol.  “This is an opportunity for our farmers and ranchers across the state to get out there, engage and meet with their new legislators,” said Loren Dauer,…

Tuesday’s election results are setting the stage for significant changes in Washington’s agricultural leadership. “We could have as many as 150 or more new members of the House and Senate coming in in January,” said Randy Russell, president/CEO, The Russell…