Top Stories Articles
Farm Expenditures Increase
Published July 31, 2023
U.S. farm production expenses totaled $453 billion in 2022, up from $393 billion in 2021. On a per-farm basis, farm expenditures are up nearly 16 percent. The biggest cost item for crop farmers is fertilizer, which increased nearly 14 percent…Harvest to Begin Soon for Brossart
Published July 28, 2023
Chris Brossart, who farms near Wolford, North Dakota, started with his preharvest herbicide application in his wheat this past week. Harvest will begin soon. "The small grain crops in our area are shorter-than-normal for height with a lot of it maybe…Wheat Tour Results Released
Published July 28, 2023
Crop scouts on the Wheat Quality Council Spring Wheat and Durum Tour are forecasting an average spring wheat yield of 47.4 bushels per acre in North Dakota. That’s above the five-year tour average of just over 40 bushels per acre,…Donations Won’t Correct Food Insecurity
Published July 28, 2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not rejoin the Black Sea Grain Initiative, but is willing to donate grain to a half-dozen African nations. Speaking at the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg, Putin said Russia will provide up…Breakeven Levels Move Higher for Pork Producers
Published July 28, 2023
The National Pork Producers Council has released its third quarter pork industry economic update. The report cites California Proposition 12 and its wide-ranging impact on the swine industry. Breakeven levels are nine percent higher than one year ago and have…Interest Rates Rise
Published July 27, 2023
The Federal Reserve bumped interest rates by a quarter percentage point to a range of 5.25 percent-to-5.5 percent. Interest rates are now at a 22-year high. Fed Chair Jerome Powell would not rule out another rate hike at the central…Sentiment Doesn’t Match Data
Published July 27, 2023
Wheat growers in attendance at the day two wrap-up in Devils Lake lamented about the lack of rain and how poor their crops look. Wheat Quality Council Executive Vice President says the data collected does not reflect that sentiment right…NATO Allies Defend Black Sea Shipments
Published July 27, 2023
NATO is responding to Russia’s new warning that shipments on the Black Sea are temporarily unsafe for navigation. NATO condemned Russia’s action and plans to increase its surveillance of the Black Sea Region. Aircraft and drones will be used to…A Possible Black Sea Blockade
Published July 26, 2023
There is growing speculation this morning that Russia is planning to blockade Ukraine, intercepting any commercial ships heading to Ukraine on the Black Sea. Meanwhile, Ukraine is asking NATO to provide security to protect its ports and grain exports. The…