Growing Harvest Ag Network

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

AccuWeather long-range experts say the harshest cold of winter is likely in the rearview mirror, but the rest of the season will bring various weather threats, including ice jams, flooding, severe storms, and an increased risk of wildfires. NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Dr. Jake Galbreath, NDSU Extension Veterinarian and Livestock Stewardship Specialist. Dr. Galbreath offers some advice to cattle producers for best cattle care practices when the weather gets cold. 

Jeff Gale, NDSU Extension Ag and Natural Resources Agent for Foster County, says he’s watching to see if any trees or plants are breaking dormancy.

It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. NAFB News Service

New data from U.S. court filings indicate farm bankruptcy has risen again. Samantha Ayoub, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the data paints a stark picture of the farm economy. NAFB News Service

The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report shows the 2025-2026 U.S. corn outlook is for greater exports and lower ending stocks. The season-average corn price is unchanged at $4.10 per bushel. The U.S. soybean supply and use projections are unchanged this month. NAFB News Service

Trade with Mexico and Canada delivers significant economic benefits to rural communities across the U.S. That’s according to new economic analysis released today by the Agricultural Coalition for the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.  NAFB News Service

A recent USDA study looks at adoption trends for precision agricultural practices within the nation’s dairy sector. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline

Meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over some of the winter wheat crop conditions reported by states published in its latest State Stories edition. USDA Radio Newsline

Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, said things are looking good to get that help in the hands of producers this month. NAFB News Service

The USDA reminds agricultural producers that the final date to apply for or make changes to their existing crop insurance coverage is quickly approaching for spring-planted crops, Whole-Farm Revenue Protection, Micro Farm, and some specialty crops. NAFB News Service

USDA released its initial 2026 farm income forecast and as expected, it showed a further decline in overall farm income, offset only by government payments. NAFB News Service

Farmer sentiment dropped sharply in the January Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer. One troubling trend in this month’s farmer survey is the increasing size of operating loans in 2026. Michael Langemeier of Purdue University said there are bigger loans in store for more farmers this year. NAFB News Service

House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson of Pennsylvania told attendees at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture’s Winter Policy Conference that getting a farm bill done is a top priority in 2026. Senate Ag Committee Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota appeared to bring some optimism to that goal by saying the leaders of each Ag Committee work well together despite the political divide in Washington, D.C. NAFB News Service

The dairy industry is experiencing a period of growth in the U.S. right now. Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, says one of the road signs is the current boom in dairy processing expansion. NAFB News Service

Weeds cause many problems in the field, robbing farmers of their yields. Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist, talks more about kochia problems in fields.

Sarah Heinrich and Rusty Halvorson share audio from this week's Northern Corn and Soybean Expo at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds, and Rusty visits with members of NDSU's Saddle & Sirloin Club about the 100th annual Little International Livestock Show coming up February 14th.

Super Bowl Sunday is consistently one of the highest demand days for food across the U.S., supporting the farm economy. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said Super Bowl Sunday can really reflect the abundance of American agriculture. NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Joe Ikley, NDSU Extension Weed Specialist. Ikley discusses some current topics in weed management. 

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes how a weather pattern change will impact both temperatures and precipitation nationwide during the period of February 10 - 16. USDA Radio Newsline

Steve Censky is the CEO of the American Soybean Association. Censky discusses the current trade environment.

The Renewable Fuels Association welcomed a proposed rule implementing the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit, calling it a key step toward providing long-awaited clarity for ethanol and other biofuel producers. NAFB News Service

Private analysts raised forecasts for Brazil’s soybean crop as harvesting gained momentum and weather conditions remained largely favorable across major producing regions. NAFB News Service

Anne Steckel, senior advisor for biofuels at the National Farmers Union, says interest in biofuels and renewable diesel continues to grow as consumers understand the many benefits. She noted that biofuels not only reduce carbon emissions but also reduce the price at the pump. NAFB News Service

USDA food safety expert Meredith Carothers discusses the food safety practice of never leaving food out at room temperature for more than two hours, as well as ways to keep food safe. USDA Radio Newsline

National Grange President Chris Hamp says there are many needs and challenges in rural America, and it’s important that those rural voices are heard. NAFB News Service

Exports of U.S. pork remained relatively strong in November, though down about 7% from the very strong year-ago numbers as U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom explains. Source: USMEF

The 2026 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Trade Show is February 3-5 in Nashville, Tennessee. NAFB News Service

Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Dudley Hoskins discusses some of the potential innovations to combat New World Screwworm that could come out of a recently announced USDA sponsored Grand Challenge. USDA Radio Newsline

The Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above a growth-neutral score of 50.0 for January. That’s according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEO’s in rural areas of a ten-state region. The January index was at 52.0, its highest reading since July 2023, and up from December’s 50.1. NAFB News Service

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

Brooks Schaffer, grain marketing advisor with Palmetto Grain, talks more about U.S. corn and soybean exports.  NAFB News Service

This NDSU Ag Minute features Julie Garden-Robinson, NDSU Professor and Extension Specialist. She discusses the Field to Fork Webinar Series, and explains how you can get registered for the event. 

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the Mississippi River is the dividing line for temperatures for the period of February 3 - 9, while below normal precipitation is expected in most of the nation. USDA Radio Newsline

National Farmers Union submitted comments this week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restore crop insurance buy-up coverage for acres prevented from being planted, warning that recent changes weaken a critical risk management tool for farmers facing mounting economic pressure. Source: National Farmers Union

The U.S. Cattle Inventory Report will be released on Friday. Dr. Derrell Peel, a livestock market economist for Oklahoma State University, said the industry may finally be reaching the end of its liquidation phase. NAFB News Service

President Donald Trump said he is raising tariffs on South Korean imports by 25 percent. The BBC said Trump announced the move after accusing Seoul of not living up to the trade deal it reached with the U.S. in 2024.  NAFB News Service

The 2026 Advanced Crop Advisors Workshop held in Fargo on Tuesday and Wednesday featured alternative weed control options. Noel Anderson is a Technical Advisor to Grand Farm. 

Among USDA's Farm Service Agency loan programs are offerings that could assist producers with recovery in the event of a disaster. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline

The 2025 edition of USDA's "Rural America at a Glance" offers a specific look at debt to income in rural locales, and implications for households and communities. NAFB News Service

The Institute of Medicine suggests that approximately 10 to 35 percent of your daily total calories should come from protein, and of that protein, they recommend about 20 to 30 grams per meal to help maintain muscle mass and function. NAFB News Service

Median income trends in rural America are among the data points presented in USDA's latest report on rural areas. Rod Bain with USDA has the story.  USDA Radio Newsline

While some progress has been made in stabilizing the farm economy through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, recent numbers show that farmers still need help. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said farm losses continue to pile up. NAFB News Service

Momentum is building with the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” consumer brand campaign. José de Jesús, the assistant vice president of consumer marketing with the National Pork Board, says ground pork is gaining traction as a flavorful whole-food option for everyday meals. NAFB News Service

It’s been more than chilly. North Dakota State University Extension's Karl Hoppe explains the importance of feed for cattle in generating energy and body heat to combat extreme cold conditions. USDA Radio Newsline

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a dividing line for temperatures and nationwide below normal precipitation are in the weather forecast for the period of January 28 to February 3. USDA Radio Newsline

The recently released Dietary Guidelines for Americans contained some good news for U.S. livestock producers, especially beef. Dr. Shalene McNeil, executive director of nutrition, science, health, and wellness for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, was excited by the new guidelines. NAFB News Service

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture from around the region.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Lisa Pederson, NDSU Extension Livestock Specialist. Pederson explains more about the Beef Quality Assurance program and how it helps to increase consumer confidence.