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.
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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…
- Katelyn Winberg
A South Dakota company is sending it's soy-based product around the world to feed fish, with about 80% going to the Norwegian Atlantic salmon market.
- Janelle Atyeo
The first farmer feature in our series, The Road Ahead: Meet Kaleb Smit who spent the better part of two years planning how he could come back to work on the farm where he grew up.
- 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.
- Tim Kenyon
NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa — Agritourism means fun times for customers and multiple ways to diversify farms.
- Crystal Reed
Nitrogen application in the fall and winter might need to be delayed this year with the appearance of a Super El Niño.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
SCHLESWIG, Iowa — A machinery breakdown stopped Brian Sieren as he neared the end of soybean harvest.
Harvest was moving quickly during this year's Illinois Farmer Today Harvest Survey.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
EMERSON, Iowa — A brief shower Oct. 13 pushed farmers out of the field, but not for long.
- Katelyn Winberg
A family farm may be worth millions on paper, but that doesn't mean the farming heir can afford to buy out every sibling at market value.
- Tim Kenyon
TAMA COUNTY, Iowa — Helpful weather and good timing has resulted in increased job satisfaction for central Iowa farmer Lance Ewoldt.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
WOODBURN, Iowa — Harvest is moving right along for Jeff Pollard in Clarke County.
- Tim Kenyon
CASCADE, Iowa — Running hard is just a regular farm routine this time of year.
- Tim Kenyon
JESUP, Iowa — A large northeastern Iowa family supports the ambitious annual growing plans for Blue Diamond Farming Co., based about 10 minutes south of Jesup near where Buchanan and Black Hawk counties meet.
- Tim Kenyon
MORNING SUN, Iowa — Paul Gieselman felt happy after several consecutive days harvesting in his Louisa County fields.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
ORANGE CITY, Iowa — Strong yields have made this harvest a happy one for Joel Leusink.
- Tim Kenyon
CHARLES CITY, Iowa — Wayne Koehler was glad for the return of momentum to the 2026 harvest Oct. 14 following a very rainy August and September.