Growing Harvest Ag Network

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dairy producers now have until December 18th to enroll in the latest USDA Dairy Margin Coverage risk management offering. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The nation's cattle inventory in feedlots remains larger than a year ago, but a closer look at the latest USDA data shows supplies outside those feedlots continue to tighten. USDA livestock analyst Anthony Fischer has more. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Lacey Quail, NDSU Extension Livestock Management Specialist. Quail offers some advice to ranchers who are sorting through their ultrasound and preg checking results. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Dakota Corn Growers Association Board Member Tyler Qual farms near Lisbon and provides a harvest update. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family farms continue to dominate U.S. agriculture, accounting for about 97 percent of all farms in 2024, according to USDA data. Small family farms, those with gross cash farm income below $350,000, made up about 86 percent of all farms. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As farmers head into the fields for harvest, they are getting hit hard at the fuel pump. Mike Steenhoek, Executive Director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, has calculated what an average farm operation might be paying this year over last. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Tyler Qual farms in the Lisbon area. Qual discusses harvest progress in southeastern North Dakota, as well as the continued push for year-round E15. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As harvest gets underway across much of the Corn Belt, propane suppliers are keeping a close eye on crop conditions and weather forecasts. Despite the potential for heavy grain drying demand in some areas, industry leaders say propane supplies remain strong and preparations are already underway to meet farmers' needs. Michael Newland, director of Agriculture Business Development at the Propane Education & Research Council, explains. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Under Secretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears discusses USDA food safety efforts connected to recent Presidential Executive Orders to boost meat production and market access. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

October is National Cooperative Month . This year's theme for National Cooperative Month focuses on the long serving cooperative business model in our nation and its rural areas, and how they are designed for long-term service to their communities. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trade remains one of the biggest influences on grain markets, but shifting global supply patterns and rising production costs are also shaping the outlook for farmers. Garrett Toay, owner of AgTraderTalk, says trade is the top factor he's watching, while input costs remain a key concern for producers. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When food safety issues make the news headlines, consumers take notice. Consumer confidence in an entire category can suffer, and that’s why the dairy checkoff makes food safety a big priority. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cattle prices continue to be the bright spot in agriculture, but that doesn’t mean ranchers can let their guard down when it comes to costs. Nebraska Extension Livestock System Educator Brock Ortner says there are several ways cattlemen can keep their operations lean. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As policymakers debate foreign ownership of U.S. farmland, questions remain about how much risk those foreign holdings actually pose. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Staying safe on the farm should always be top priority, but when things get busy during the harvest season it’s even more important that producers take the time to slow down and use caution. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Advanced planning can help home cooks make meals throughout the week versus takeout or eating out. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The price of diesel remains near record-high levels, squeezing farmers’ profit margins. Gregg Ibendahl, Farm Management Specialist at Kansas State University, says geopolitical issues have disrupted key areas like the Strait of Hormuz, as has the Russia and Ukraine war. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of the week's top stories in agriculture. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA says rebuilding staffing levels in local Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service offices remains a priority. Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says office staffing is a concern he’s hearing from farmers nationwide. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How has recent innovations in artificial intelligence expanded efficiencies in beef inspection and grading? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The United States has begun banning nearly $1 billion worth of Canadian imports, including certain dairy products, alcoholic beverages, and motorcycles. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New analysis is signaling that the Trump administration’s plan to lower the tariffs on imported beef has not met the intended goal of lowering prices for consumers. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said her organization studied beef prices at 41 grocery stores in September to measure the impact. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The calendar has officially shifted to fall, and the attention is turning to what the winter forecast might look like. And according to the Old Farmers Almanac, this coming winter is expected to be similar to the winter of 1997-1998. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farm Service Agency has completed a major upgrade to acreage reporting, moving producers nationwide onto a new system designed to improve efficiency and reduce paperwork. FSA Deputy Administrator of Farm Programs Jared Hagert says the transition is already showing promising results. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Red meat in storage rose as pork supplies surged, USDA said in a monthly Cold Storage report. Meat in freezers on Aug. 31 rose eight percent from the same date last year to 862.1 million pounds. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features James Rogers, NDSU Extension Forage Crops Production Specialist. Rogers visits with listeners about the weather this growing season and the impact it has had on this year's forage crops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brazil's farmland-cost advantage over the United States has narrowed substantially, according to a new comparison from Purdue University's Center for Commercial Agriculture. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter is around the corner, and it looks like El Niño will continue to dominate upcoming weather forecasts. John Baranick, ag meteorologist for DTN, talked about El Niño’s influence on U.S. weather this winter. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA's latest season ending average price forecasts reflect increased prices for commodities this marketing year, but why? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are the factors that could result in forecasted higher wheat prices for growers this marketing season? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Persistent rain across parts of the Midwest is delaying the soybean harvest, tightening supplies and forcing processors to offer large premiums for immediate deliveries. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers in the United States and Argentina have sharply different views about the benefits of artificial intelligence and other data-driven tools in agriculture. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey of corn and soybean farmers finds financial pressure remains high despite recent improvements in commodity prices. The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association report nearly two-thirds of growers are moderately or very concerned about the farm economy. Forty-six percent say they are more concerned about their farm financial situation than they were a year ago. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As harvest gets underway across the country, the American Seed Trade Association is reminding farmers to take precautions to keep treated seed out of the grain supply. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share some of this week's top stories in agriculture, including some follow-up audio from the recent Big Iron Farm and Construction Show in West Fargo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dylan Nelson with Embden Grain, west of Fargo, harvest got started about a week and half ago. He says many farmers in the area are ready for a frost to help dry the crop down. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Carmel Miller, NDSU Extension FARMS Workforce Coordinator. Miller discusses the upcoming ND NEXT Conference in Carrington, as well as the work being done to grow and develop leaders in rural North Dakota. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers could be facing elevated diesel prices well into 2027, adding another challenge for producers already struggling with tight margins. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey talks about heavy rains of the past week and how it is affecting areas of the western corn and soybean belts. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new comparison of farmer sentiment in the United States and Argentina finds producers facing many of the same challenges, including high input costs. But the outlook for the future looks very different depending on where farmers are farming. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. North Dakota Corn Growers Association member and Oakes farmer Steve Hansen visits with us about his recent trip to Washington D.C. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey goes over the range of temperatures across the country for the period of September 29 - October 5. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA is beginning the largest expansion of commodity program base acres in more than two decades. The addition of 30 million acres eligible for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage is expected to increase support for farmers nationwide. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Senate Ag Committee approved its version of the farm bill on a 12-11 party line vote. Brian Glenn, director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau, said it’s a big step forward in the push for a new farm bill. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking steps to assure farm safety today builds for future safety on the operation - the message behind this year's National Farm Safety and Health Week. Rod Bain has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Online tools and calculators are available for producers considering their enrollment and election options in this year's Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage sign-up. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski goes over USDA's September beef production and steer price forecasts for next year. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Walcott, ND grower Matt Swenson says he had some sclerotinia, but no insect issues this year. Weather in his area has been hot and dry. He says his sunflowers will be below average. He hopes to start harvesting the end of the month. National Sunflower Association See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does USDA's latest meat outlook reveal regarding trends in production and prices? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.