A warm and wet spring in many parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri has had an impact on pastures.
- Crystal Reed
Editor’s note: This is part of series visiting farm museums throughout the Midwest.
- By Tim Kenyon, Iowa Farmer Today
Farm leaders seek more results in agricultural policy with the 2026 Iowa Legislative session ended and the June 2 primary election around the corner.
- Benjamin Herrold
Farmers could see a slightly improved bottom line for 2026 compared to last year, but high input costs continue to keep returns around breakeven levels.
- Tim Kenyon
Eldon McAfee is an attorney with Brick Gentry P.C. in West Des Moines — recognized as one of Iowa’s top agricultural lawyers working on environmental issues on behalf of Iowa’s livestock industry.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
OSCEOLA, Iowa — Jason Boyer finally started planting row crops May 4. Two days later, he estimated that half of his corn crop was in the ground.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
LITTLE ROCK, Iowa — Darwin Klaassen got off to a great start to the planting season, putting corn in the ground April 13.
- Crystal Reed
FORREST, Ill. — Kent Blunier said planting has been going slow and steady on his farm in Livingston County in eastern Illinois.
- Benjamin Herrold
LEETON, Mo. — In west-central Missouri, planting got off to a quick start with warm, mostly dry weather in March.
- Benjamin Herrold
ROCK PORT, Mo. — Under a blue sky on a spring day, brothers Craig and Pat Moore were getting their planter ready to go to kick off the 2026 planting season. At the edge of a field, the expanse of the Missouri River bottom stretched out toward the horizon. And across Atchison County in northw…
- Benjamin Herrold
NORBORNE, Mo. — Rain has made for a challenging planting season so far in Nathan White’s area. White farms near Norborne in Carroll and Ray counties, both in the hills and in the Missouri River bottom.
- Benjamin Herrold
RUTLEDGE, Mo. — After some rainy weeks, planting progress ramped back up in northeast Missouri.
- Crystal Reed
BETHANY, Ill. — Wet and cold conditions are slowing down some farmers in the central part of the state.
- By Nat Williams, Illinois Farmer Today
TAMAROA, Ill. — It has been a tale of two seasons for Greg Schorfheide. So far, he likes the way the story is going in 2026.
- By Nat Williams, Illinois Farmer Today
RIDGWAY, Ill. — Rusty Mosby is a typical farmer. In other words, he gets concerned when things seem to be going exceptionally well.
- Tim Kenyon
VINTON, Iowa — Almost a half-century of farming has led to a wealth of knowledge and humor for Wayne Siela.
- Tim Kenyon
TRAER, Iowa — The Kubik family’s on-the-go schedule fills up as they progress through planting season in Tama County.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
CUSHING, Iowa — Planting season was over for Joe Putensen May 6.
- By Jeff DeYoung, Iowa Farmer Today
EMERSON, Iowa — An early start to planting season had Jeff Richards finishing up his corn crop May 6.
- By Mandy Archer
In America, farming culture has a long history of including children in activities to build respect for hard work and responsibility — traits we value as children develop into productive adults.
- Benjamin Herrold
After a generally wet, humid growing season in the Midwest led to significant crop disease issues in 2025, plant pathologists are hopeful this year will be a return to lower disease levels.
- Photos by Kristin Danley Greiner, Benjamin Herrold and Tim Kenyon
Staffers spent time out in the field capturing photos of cattle during National Beef Month in May. Below are some of the pictures they snapped.
- Crystal Reed
Type of pathogen can influence whether a crop disease can be treated in-season — managed — or whether it will have to be taken care of before the next growing season — prevented.
- Tim Kenyon
Editor’s note: This is part of series visiting farm museums throughout the Midwest.
- Tim Kenyon
AMES, Iowa — Wesley Everman derives job satisfaction from helping farmers solve annoying and expensive weedy crop problems.
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