Growing Harvest Ag Network

Democratic gains in several farm states are setting the stage for a major shift in congressional agriculture leadership following Tuesday’s midterm elections.  NAFB News Service

U.S. soybean farmers spend considerably more per acre on production inputs than their counterparts in Brazil, according to a new Farmdoc daily report. The report estimates total input costs average 616 dollars per acre in the United States, compared with 416 dollars in Brazil. NAFB News Service

After a long run of higher prices, the cattle markets dropped sharply in recent weeks. Dr. Derrell Peel is the livestock marketing specialist for Oklahoma State University. Looking back at the high prices, he said the fundamentals driving the market didn’t change until recently. NAFB News Service

As tighter margins pressure farm finances, lenders are seeing producers rely more heavily on borrowed capital to cover operating expenses. At the same time, higher interest rates are increasing the cost of carrying that debt, making cash flow management increasingly important. Chad Gent is senior vice president of retail credit with Farm Credit Services of America. NAFB News Service

An Extension expert shares advice on cooking multiple, home cooked meals, and in turn, saving money in food costs. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline

Looking back on 2026, one constant for growers, regardless of commodity, was the jump in fertilizer prices. Whether nitrogen, phosphate, or potash, growers have suffered sticker shock after prices jumped 20, 30, 40 percent, or more this year alone. NAFB News Service

It’s been a long time coming, but one ag economist very familiar with the process says Congress could very likely pass a Farm Bill before Christmas. Dr. Bart Fischer, Co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, has been involved in every major ag policy development in Washington, D.C. since the 2014 Farm Bill. Fischer says House and Senate staffers are hammering out details right now. NAFB News Service

Competitive Markets Action and its affiliated political action committee are shutting down after three and a half years of advocating for independent farmers and competitive agricultural markets.  NAFB News Service

Agriculture Department Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at some states reporting a slower pace than average in harvest of their corn crop as of November 1. USDA Radio Newsline

The deadline is approaching to sign up for Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance, or PRF, for 2027.  NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension Livestock Specialist. Hoppe discusses best practices for backgrounding calves. 

The September USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, known as NASS, Crop Production Estimates led to some of the largest single-day declines in December corn futures during 2026. But the numbers were not accurate. Faith Parum, the deputy chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked about the corrections. NAFB News Service

The type of pumpkin grown is a factor in what growers receive price-wise for their product, per a USDA research economist. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline

Nicole Wardner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Beef Commission, discusses the facts behind the Oct. 23, 2026, ruling and any changes this could mean for the commission moving forward.

Growing use of GLP-1 medications is reshaping how consumers shop for protein. This creates new opportunities for some animal agriculture sectors. NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Rachel Gibbs, Small Ruminant Extension Specialist at the Hettinger Research Extension Center. Gibbs has the details on federal trade officials investigating the impact of imported lamb on U.S. sheep producers.

Farmers need the help provided by the Harvest Fuel Relief program, but National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says it is only a temporary fix. NAFB News Service

An Oklahoma State University livestock market economist said the USDA’s new five-state reporting system addresses a growing challenge in cattle price discovery. Dr. Derrell Peel talked about the new system. NAFB News Service

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture.

Farmers continue to deal with rising input costs. We visited with North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring about the high costs producers are paying to produce a crop.

FFA has grown dramatically over the past decade and a half, expanding its reach beyond traditional rural communities. NAFB News Service

Economic conditions across the rural Midwest weakened in October, with the Rural Mainstreet Index falling to 42.5, its lowest reading since July. NAFB News Service

In 2024, foreign entities controlled an increasing number of agricultural acres. Faith Parum, the deputy chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked through the numbers. NAFB News Service

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says mild and showery weather is expected for much of the country for the period of November 3 - 9. USDA Radio Newsline

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Walcott farmer and North Dakota Corn Growers Association Board Member Ben Bakko recently participated in a policy roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak.

U.S. soybean export inspections increased last week, while corn and wheat shipments headed overseas slowed, according to the latest USDA report.  NAFB News Service

The number of cattle in U.S. feedlots edged lower from a year ago, while placements fell to a record September low, according to the latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report.  NAFB News Service  

USDA is investing $57 million dollars to boost American Meat Processing Capacity and Support our nation’s ranchers. Processers in 40 states are expected to receive $57 million to expand their capacity and create new and better markets through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Source: USDA

Agriculture Department Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at states reporting significant jumps in corn harvest progress as of October 25. USDA Radio Newsline

The idea of using food as medicine is gaining traction among policymakers and health care leaders. During a discussion on nutrition and public health, Dr. Oz, who serves as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, argued that better diets could improve health outcomes while reducing health care costs. NAFB News Service

Farm income is not keeping up with the rising costs of groceries. Terri Moore, vice president of communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says farmers get a very small share of every dollar spent on food. NAFB News Service

A University of Illinois Extension educator has been studying the plight of small-town grocery stores. John Shadowens started looking at the subject five years ago. He says it’s a challenging business model, but he believes there is a future for those type of operations. NAFB News Service

The Trump administration announced it will provide $8 billion in relief for farmers getting squeezed during harvest by the high price of diesel fuel. John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau, talked about the potential impact on farmers. NAFB News Service

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and moisture is expected for much of the nation during the period of October 27 - November 2. USDA Radio Newsline

The dairy market is sending mixed signals. While exports remain strong and demand for dairy protein continues to grow, cheese prices have struggled. NAFB News Service

This Farm Talk segment features North Dakota Corn Growers Association board member Mark Belter. Belter represented NDCGA during a recent Farm Bill roundtable with Sen. Hoeven and Chair of the US Senate Ag Committee, Sen. John Boozman (AR).

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture.

The Cattle Markets showed weakness heading into the fall season, but now that we are into late October, the markets seem to be showing some promise. Jess Peterson, a rancher and the Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, highlighted the usual ups and downs that occur in the fall. NAFB News Service

Diesel and gas prices began the week heading in opposite directions. Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com says that various geopolitical tensions, whether that’s the U.S. and Iran, Russia and Ukraine remain top of mind for the oil markets. NAFB News Service

John Sandbakken with the National Sunflower Association discusses how sunflower harvest is progressing across the region. 

The USDA's October U.S. supply and demand estimates show a larger wheat production forecast.  So, what does that mean for the balance sheet? World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Carlos Pires, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist. Pires discusses the soil health benefits of utilizing cover crops. 

Global food inflation could accelerate in the coming months and persist well into 2027, as shipping disruptions, higher production costs, and drought threaten supplies. NAFB News Service

The John Deere Foundation announced an $18.5 million multi-year Farm-to-Plate strategy to address food insecurity in the Midwest. NAFB News Service

Higher diesel prices may prompt farmers to rethink where they deliver grain, even when a buyer farther away offers a higher price. NAFB News Service

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at states with notable very poor to poor corn crop condition ratings as of October 18. USDA Radio Newsline

Strong consumer demand continues to support the cattle market, even as producers manage historically small herd numbers and tighter supplies. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association says demand remains one of the brightest spots in agriculture today. NAFB News Service

Drones are more of a mainstream farm management tool than ever before. Bernt (BEAR-ent) Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said drones are blanketing a rapidly increasing number of farmland acres. NAFB News Service

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Environmental Stewardship Awards, recognizing cattle producers who demonstrate outstanding conservation and land-management practices. NAFB News Service

Parts of Nebraska and elsewhere across the Plains states and Midwest were impacted by heavy rainfall in September, and that has discolored some of the soybean crop. NAFB News Service