When farmers select their varieties and hybrids, plant the seed and raise their crop, they face challenges from the weather, insects, weeds, diseases and economic factors.
A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.
Settled under the Homestead Act of 1885, the Ochsner family farm in Sutton, Nebraska, has weathered the Great Depression, the 1980s farm crisis, and the evolving landscape of American agriculture. Today, fifth-generation farmer Levi Ochsner, his wife Jena, and three generations working side-…
- Tim Kenyon
As another challenging Midwest growing season ends, farmers consider management practices that could close the gap between red ink and profitability.
- Crystal Reed
Dairy farming has come a long way from hand milking cows one by one in the early morning hours.
- By Laura Handke
Recent information published by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Farm Bureau organizations has given rise to questions about what is happening with hobby farm classification and what smaller producers need to do to be in compliance as a for-profit business entity able to claim f…
- By Benjamin Herrold, Iowa Farmer Today
Farmers continue to balance the needs of their operation with tight profit margins and high input costs.
- Tim Kenyon
In Iowa, Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst and Gov. Kim Reynolds opted against running for another term, leaving the field open to new leaders concerned with economics, health, education and property rights.
- Crystal Reed
Illinois residents will go to the polls Nov. 3 to consider two major statewide races for governor and U.S. Senate.
- Benjamin Herrold
This year’s Nov. 3 general election is relatively quiet in Missouri and for agricultural issues in the state.
- Crystal Reed
The issues at play in the Nov. 3 midterm aren’t necessarily ag issues. People are struggling with economic uncertainty throughout the United States, said University of Illinois agriculture policy professor Jonathan Coppess.
- Crystal Reed
Nitrogen application in the fall and winter might need to be delayed this year with the appearance of a Super El Niño.
- Crystal Reed
FAIRMOUNT, Ill. — A dry stretch meant good harvest weather in eastern Illinois, but farm equipment doesn’t always cooperate.
- Crystal Reed
BLUE MOUND, Ill. — In early October, central Illinois farmer Ryan Damery was halfway through a promising soybean harvest.
- Crystal Reed
VICTORIA, Ill. — With frequent rains and equipment breakdowns, Jay West of Knox County, Illinois, was only 15% into harvest Oct. 6 and waiting on parts for a repair while one machine was up and running.
- By Nat Williams, Illinois Farmer Today
TAMAROA, Ill. — By mid-October, Austin Lovelady was finishing up with harvest and had all his winter wheat planted. Now comes the financial reckoning.
- Crystal Reed
MANHATTAN, Ill. — Beans have been drying down unevenly on Dave Kestel’s farm in northeast Illinois, making for a start-and-stop harvest this year.
- Crystal Reed
After wild swings for fuel and input costs in 2026, average rental rates are expected to be roughly flat to slightly higher heading into 2027.
- Benjamin Herrold
Tim Reinbott has worked in several roles for the University of Missouri during his career in ag research and education, including work with MU’s ag college, Extension and serving as superintendent for the Bradford Research Center.
- By Nat Williams, Illinois Farmer Today
McLEANSBORO, Ill. — Joseph Rexing cut back on planting corn this year, largely due to the price of nitrogen fertilizer. His yields are good, but it’s been a losing proposition for a while.
- Crystal Reed
MORGAN COUNTY, Ill. — Tim Thompson finished harvesting his western Illinois corn crop Oct. 2. Following a one-day rain delay, he started on soybeans on Oct. 4 and expected to be finished by the end of that week.
- Kristen Sindelar
As a lifelong cattle producer, Grant Potadle of Herman, Nebraska, has had his hand in just about every aspect of the beef industry. He’s a fourth-generation cow-calf owner, first-generation purebred seedstock producer, direct-to-consumer marketer, international semen supplier and custom graz…
Wet weather is slowing corn harvest across much of the Corn Belt, creating challenges for growers while also giving Wyffels Hybrids’ agronomy and breeding teams an opportunity to evaluate corn performance under a wide range of conditions.
- Benjamin Herrold
For the 5-year reporting period of 2018-2022, Iowa had the second-highest rate of new cancer diagnoses in the United States and was one of only three states with an increasing rate of new cancers.
- Tim Kenyon
Attention is focused on water quality improvements throughout Iowa this election cycle.