Agriculture companies are quickly putting artificial intelligence to use to help their farmer clients make decisions on what hybrids to plant and when to apply fungicide.
- Benjamin Herrold
ROCK PORT, Mo. — Corn and soybean crops have faced a variety of weather across the Midwest to begin the growing season, with heavy rains in May and June leading to replanting decisions for some farmers.
- By Crystal Reed, Iowa Farmer Today
The United States produces approximately $300 billion a year in agricultural commodities, and all of that is vulnerable to climate change.
- By Kim McMichael
Summer months are filled with outdoor activities. Whether you are enjoying a beautiful day on vacation or working in the heat, it is important to understand the risks of sun exposure and how to best prevent heat illness.
- By Kristin Danley Greiner, Iowa Farmer Today
DES MOINES — When the Illinois Pork Producers Association shared a guide touting creative pork recipes with the Chicago Public Schools’ food service director in February 2025, ag leaders were stunned to learn pork isn’t allowed to be served to students enrolled in the nation’s fourth-largest…
- Benjamin Herrold
The hot summer months can be a challenge for cattle herds. Heat can affect performance in several ways, including average daily gains and reproductive issues.
- Tim Kenyon
URBANA, Ill. — A deep well of curiosity and persistence motivates researchers to push for more innovation in corn seeds.
- Daniel Munch and Bernt Nelson American Farm Bureau Federation
Key Takeaways
- Tim Kenyon
DONAHUE, Iowa — Keeping an open mind has led Cinnamon Ridge Farm’s owners to success.
- Crystal Reed
The Mitchell family has been farming in the same place since the 1840s.
- Benjamin Herrold
After years working in the dairy industry, Alfred Brandt continues to support dairy farmers through his work with Missouri Dairy and the Missouri Dairy Growth Council.
- Benjamin Herrold
The dairy industry continues to receive mixed signals, as dairy farmers see low milk prices and processing expansion.
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The cost of hiring fieldwork in Missouri has risen an average of 9% since 2023, according to an update to University of Missouri Extension’s Custom Rates for Farm Services in Missouri.
- Heather Schlitz, Tom Polansek and Cassandra Garrison Reuters
Experts said an outbreak could cause $1.8 billion in damage to Texas' economy and likely would raise beef prices by shrinking cattle supply.
- Benjamin Herrold
Reagan Bluel works as a University of Missouri Extension dairy field specialist and as the educational director for Missouri Dairy, the statewide dairy organization. She has a podcast, “Dairy Science Digest,” where she breaks down the latest scientific research for dairy farmers.
- Crystal Reed
It’s all about scale when it comes to hours spent working on the farm.
Next year’s corn rootworm pressure is already taking shape. For growers who want to stay ahead of it, the time to measure that risk is now. Adult beetles are active in late spring and early summer, feeding, mating and laying the eggs that will determine next year’s pressure. For growers in h…
Editor’s note: The following was written by Krista Ehlert, associate professor and South Dakota State University Extension range specialist, for the university’s website May 18.
Editor’s note: The following was written by David Oppedahl and Elizabeth Kepner with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for the May AgLetter.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
JESUP, Iowa — Six generations of Ben Bader’s family have farmed near Jesup in Black Hawk County, and the northeast Iowa farmer is proud of that legacy.
- Benjamin Herrold
This year’s Missouri state legislative session saw action on some agriculture-related issues, including ag tax credits and regulatory reform. Some issues failed to make it to the finish line and got pushed to next year.
- By Crystal Reed, Illinois Farmer Today
Darell Stitzel is a third-generation hog farmer in Carroll County, Illinois. Both of his grandfathers were farmers for life.
- Tim Kenyon
A series of recent storms rumbled through the Heartland causing damage through chunks of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri.
- ZoeMartin
This year’s World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines June 3-4 focuses on what’s new — new leaders and new technology.
- Benjamin Herrold
The hog industry continues to see a run of profitability now stretching over two years, based on Iowa State University estimates.