Tight global supplies have held up wheat prices since 2020 due to the surge of Chinese purchases, La Nina's influence on yields, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and inflation. However, that price support is slipping. On Tuesday, May 2, Chicago wheat prices dropped to a 25-month low. Then prices whipped back on Wednesday and Tuesday. What's behind all…

Just how is cotton raised in the United States? And what are farmers doing to be more sustainable with this important fiber and oilseed crop? Good questions both, and the industry is stepping up to answer that for buyers with information direct from growers in the U.S. Cotton Trust Program. Sledge Taylor, who farms in northern Mississippi, discusse…

Commodity prices are a leading indicator of inflation, and the commodity price surge in August 2020 was a telling sign that inflation was about to rip through the entire economy. Inflationary pressures are finally beginning to ease in other areas of the U.S. economy. While the slower pace of increasing prices may seem like a blessing for farmers, i…

Western flooding impacts agriculture in a big way. Recently Todd Fitchette, Western Farm Press, traveled to the Tulare Lake area of California, on the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, to survey the damage. From flooded fields to relocated farms, the impact has beensignificant, and will be felt beyond season 2023. Then the podcast shifts gear…

Around Farm Progress adds a twist this week as we introduce Farmgate Friday, a series that looks at hot topics in grain marketing and what they mean for your farm. On this episode, Farm Futures market analyst Jacqueline Holland interprets the main corn, soybean and wheat data from USDA's March 31 prospective plantings report. The acreage estimates …

This week’s episode of Around Farm Progress takes on two different topic areas. There’s a look at one farmer’s innovation in forest restoration that’s getting some attention. We also continue our coverage of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Cattle Industry Convention with a look at topics related to beef biosecurity. Curt Arens, Nebraska F…

Never let it be reported that the Around Farm Progress podcast isn’t diverse, even in a single episode. This week the show looks at the Conservation Reserve Program and the benefits it offers, then moves on for a discussion of the beef checkoff, beef exports and even a discussion about Yellowstone. First up, Fran O’Leary, Wisconsin Agriculturist, s…

USDA recently instituted a Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program at the urging of the beef industry. The goal is to provide more transparent information for producers to understand price trends in local markets. Jennifer Carrico, Wallaces Farmer, talked with two beef industry representatives during the 2023 National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Ca…

Recognizing the hard work of agriculture is part of the culture. There are several programs, many sponsored by Farm Progress, aiming to shine a spotlight on those farm leaders that are driving this industry forward. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, Brad Haire, Southeast Farm Press, and head of the Farm Press team at Farm Progress, discussed…

For the last few years there has been a healthy buzz around innovations for agriculture, but a deeper look at the industry shows that farmers are not all jumping right in. A new survey report from consulting firm McKinsey & Company, digs into that issue – Agtech: Breaking down the farmer adoption dilemma. It’s the third survey of farmers the organi…

DNA is a secret weapon farmers can use to better understand the challenges your crop may face in the new year, but how does that work. One company, Pattern Ag, is focusing on measuring DNA information from soil samples to help farmers better understand the pests and diseases that may be present in the soil. This information can help farmers decide …

A winter farm show is a great way to catch up on tech when the workload is a little slower, and Northeast farmers know it. That’s why may plan to travel to Syracuse, N.Y., to take in the New York Farm Show. The 2023 show runs Feb. 23-25 and show hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Chris Torres, American Agriculturist, offers a sneak peek at the sh…

What’s the value of a farm survey and why should a farmer take time to fill it out? Good questions for busy farmers these days. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, we dig into the most recent survey conducted by Farm Futures to learn how this periodic effort to take the pulse of agriculture does more than count acres. Jacqueline Holland, marke…

Grain drying costs can be a killer, and farmers work on ways to enhance efficiency to cut that energy bill. From installing new, more efficient dryers, to changing the energy source, innovation abounds. And for one Michigan farmer, the answer was wood chips. Jennifer Kiel with AmericanAgriculturist discovered this drying innovation on a trip to a f…

Farmers likely hear this all too often – we’ll have to be ready to feed 10 billion people by 2050. But how will agriculture meet this oft-stated challenge head on? Rob Saik has a good idea: sustainable intensification. The idea is to maximize the technology available to agriculture to make the most of the inputs we have while also boosting sustaina…

There was quite a bit of buzz when the idea of gene edited crops first became public. But what can this technology mean to agriculture? The idea of a precise way to turn genes on and off in plants opens the door to a wide range of innovations, but how long will it take to come to market? How about 2023? Pairwise, a startup focused in gene editing t…

Farming isn’t easy, because as farmers know if it was more people would do it. But for those living the dream of farming, can’t do it alone. But how do you get a leg up on the challenges you face? Engaging the winter learning season at events that can help make a difference on your farm. Mike Wilson, executive editor, Farm Futures, got an idea for …

One of the benefits of Around Farm Progress is connecting with the staff and helping tell their story as well as finding out about the stories they’re working on. This time out listeners to the Around Farm Progress podcast will get a chance to learn more about Joshua Baethge, the new farm policy editor.…

There’s a question that’s popped up in the last few years for John Deere: Why do they exhibit at CES? The trade show, once known as the Consumer Electronics Show, is more often associated with televisions and computers. JonEbert, manager, North American public and industry relations, discussed the move in the latest episode of Around Farm Progress.…

Irrigation is an important tool for a lot of farmers to take control of the weather. But there’s also growing attention to how that water gets used on the farm, creating challenges. However, in the past few years the amount of data collected by irrigators and researchers is bringing much higher precision to the industry. One organization, the Irrig…

California produces 80% of the world’s almonds, which may be a surprise to many. Maintaining that market position on a global basis takes legwork, and more. Todd Fitchette with Western Farm Press got a glimpse of that work in his conversation with Clay Hamilton, associate administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. In their discussion, Ha…

The growing attention to programs to cut greenhouse gas emissions, engage in climate-smart farming and maximize resources is converging on a process that’s been around for centuries – bio-based gas. Anaerobic digesters have been put to use on poultry, swine and dairy operations for years putting that gas to work powering electric generators, but no…

Ever consider who the major players in digital agriculture are? There’s one you may not be aware of – Syngenta. The crop protection firm, in its various forms in the past, has been digging into digital farming for more than 25 years. What started as a cotton-focused tool has expanded considerably over time. And in 2023, farmers will be hearing more…

While there wasn’t a big red wave during the mid-term elections earlier this month, change happens. The 118th Congress will be split as the Republicans take back the house in 2023. But what might that mean to the next farm bill? Curt Covington, senior director of Institution Credit, AgAmerica Lending, has long followed the ag economy and the polici…

What’s on your bucket list? Thinking of skydiving or perhaps bungie jumping? Or maybe trying a unique fundraiser is more your speed. That’s the story behind this week’s Around Farm Progress podcast. Curt Arens with Nebraska Farmer share the story of a trip taken by Dick and Carolee Ourada from Imperial, Neb., to Fairbanks, Alaska. The Ouradas made …

Bring up the word “sustainability” in a meeting and you can almost hear the eyes roll, but this issue isn’t going away. Is there a way farmers can demonstrate their sustainability, build on it and perhaps grow profit? It’s possible. Liz Hunt, head, Sustainable and Responsible Business, Syngenta, explored the concept in the latest episode of Around …

Reporting on agriculture to help keep farmers informed is no small task. The challenges of providing useful insights to farmers to help boost farm profitability is a big chore. Two new writers have joined the Farm Progress team. Betty Haynes lives on an Illinois diversified farm that includes corn, soybeans and cattle. She's the new associate edito…

Farmers may have heard the terms artificial intelligence and machine learning more often lately as new technologies using these tools come to market. It’s a growing opportunity for changing the way a wide range of industries work and agriculture is already seeing some benefits. An artificial intelligence system is essentially a thinking computer, a…

Farmers are often looking for new crops that bring more profit, or perhaps serve other purposes. In this episode, we explore the potential for raising sesame in North Carolina as an alternative crop. Then we turn our attention to the idea of planting a milpa garden and we explain what that is and it's value on the farm. Rethinking the crops raised …

Is the Mississippi River drying up? That’s unlikely, but for 2022 this stalwart part of a vibrant transportation infrastructure has been challenged by the continuing Midwest drought. Recently, barge traffic was halted on the river, and when it resumed there were limits imposed on how barges. Ginger Rowsey, Delta Farm Press, has been following this …

For decades farmers have looked to renewable fuels to boost demand for commodity crops. Ethanol has been a solid source of demand and biodiesel is gaining traction. Add in renewable diesel which has support from the petroleum industry and the future looks pretty good. But how good? Recently CoBank issued a comprehensive look at the renewable fuel i…

The rumble of combines across the field is a welcome site as farmers work to pick up their “paycheck” for the season. Part of that work is the creation of new data that farmers can use for decision making in the following year, and it’s getting easier to make that a reality. Farm Progress caught up with Zach Worden, sales manager at Agrian by Telus…

Farm safety is no joke. Agriculture is considered one of the most dangerous professions with big equipment and intricate jobs combining to create trouble. And while accidents will happen there are some actions farmers can take to help reduce risk. John Shutske, agricultural safety and health specialist at the University of Wisconsin, offers up his …

Around the country these days farmers and dealers are testing out machines that take the operator out of the cab, or using machines with no cab at all. What might a future filled with such machines look like, and will it change the way you farm? The Around Farm Progress podcast caught up with Paul Welbig, Raven Industries, to discuss what that comp…

What sets a farm show apart from others? Out in Nebraska, organizers of this big event and put together something unique for visitors. Every year Husker Harvest Days brings together a diverse group of exhibitors who show their latest tools, tech, and innovations for visitors. In this episode of Around Farm Progress, Matt Jungmann, events director, …

The rise of crop prices has been great news for farmers dealing with a slump since 2013, but that boost in per-bushel income has been matched by rising input prices including fertilizer. But what’s driving that runup in prices and will in continue into 2023? Mike Rahm an independent consultant with more than 35 years in the fertilizer industry, sha…

Staging a farm show is not something everyone thinks of doing but every year Rick Wild has big dates circled on his calendar as he joins the Farm Progress staff to make the Farm Progress Show happen. As operations manager, Wild is responsible for a range of details involved in moving in hundreds of exhibitors to get them ready for the big show. It’…

Rising pressures to perform, the rush to harvest or plant, the need to move grain from storage to market. All are factors that impact the health and safety of the agriculture community. All these issues, and more, drive the vision for the Health and Safety Tent at the 2022 Farm Progress Show. But what will visitors find at this year’s show? Marsha …

Flying the friendly skies remains – mostly – a popular past-time, but the airline industry is working hard to cut its carbon footprint. And while there’s growing interest in electric power for airplanes, that’s in the more distant future. For now, jet engines need to run on fuel but soon more of that fuel will come from alternative sources using cr…

Recently, the monarch was red listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, tagging the insect as endangered. While that listing has no impact on local action regarding the butterfly, the move is a concern for the ag industry. And the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did consider adding the monarch to the Endangered Species List in 20…

The Farm Progress Show has long been an important event for companies and farmers to interact over new tools and technologies. And as farming as gotten more complex, the show has taken on a bigger role offering farmers that one-stop shop for new tech from iron to crop protection to software. This podcast premiers one-month and one-day ahead of the …

No doubt rising interest rates and the impact of inflation have been in the news, but for farmers those two monetary measures are keys to future income. Making sense of it all can help you plan for the future. Jennifer M. Latzke, Kansas Farmer, talked with Brian Briggeman, ag economist, Kansas State University about those issues. In their talk, he …

What’s on the mind of a senator? Plenty it turns out, especially if you’re the second-longest serving member of that legislative body. Sen. Charles Grassley talked recently with Jacqui Fatka, policy editor for Farm Progress. The conversation started with his perspective of the bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act which recently mo…

Have you ever considered the power of the dinner table? Families that make time to dine together keep communication lines open, and that could work in other ways too. Perhaps bringing strangers together over a meal. Shelley Huguley, Southwest Farm Press recently explored that idea in an editorial column and shared her personal experience with the c…

There’s a topic gaining growing interest in the country: The rise in placement of solar panels on farmland. Farmers leasing their land to solar companies for often decades raises question about acreage tied up outside of production and other issues. In the latest episode of Around Farm Progress, solar panels on farms get a closer look. Ginger Rowse…

Do you have a soybean field that for some reason never quite yields as you like? Or do you have yellowing patches across your soybean fields where you’re getting a definite yield loss? Both can be the result of infestations of soybean cyst nematode, an insidious pest that once present is hard to beat. Recently, Pioneer released information from a s…

The march to using more gene editing tools continues, but what does it mean? And what about the most complex crop farmers raise – wheat? Inari, a Cambridge, Mass., based startup is charting a course to design and develop crops using gene editing tools. To get some insight on that work and where the industry is, we talk Catherine Feuillet (foo-YAY),…

Particulates from burning diesel bring a host of environmental and health problems, but renewable diesel and biodiesel could make a difference. A new study sponsored by Clean Fuels America Alliance shows switching to renewable diesel and biodiesel (they're different) would improve air quality, and offer a significant health benefit. Floyd Vergara, …

Erin Fitzgerald, CEO of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action is just back from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland and shares what she learned. A big part of her work was explaining the role of modern agriculture as a tool for increasing global sustainability.By aroundfarmprogress

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has upended the markets, but what might that mean for your farm? For markets long term? Jacqueline Holland, market analyst, Farm Futures, offers an in-depth look at the long-term impact of the conflict on global markets. Jacqui Fatka, policy editor, Farm Progress talks with Zach Ducheneaux, administrator of USDA's Farm S…