Farmland values across the Central Corn Belt were unchanged in the second quarter of 2026 compared with a year earlier, marking the slowest annual growth since late 2024, according to a Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago survey of agricultural lenders. The survey found no quarter-to-quarter change in the value of "go...

The 2026 U.S. wheat harvest continues to make steady progress. Most major classes are reporting favorable yields and quality despite pockets of weather-related challenges. This is according to the latest harvest report from U.S. Wheat Associates. Hard Red Winter wheat harvest is nearly done, with only scattered higher-...

ARLINGTON, Va. - This week, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Law Center announced the launch of Data on Economic and Bankruptcy Trends in Agriculture (DEBT), a data project that aims to provide a more comprehensive view of bankruptcy trends across the agricultur...

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture and partners in the Minnesota Farm Suicide Prevention Campaign are offering free mental health and suicide-prevention trainings in communities across Minnesota this fall. The workshops will teach people who live and work in agricultural communities how to recognize when someone m...

Morocco's state-owned OCP has returned to the U.S. phosphate fertilizer market after the Trump administration suspended countervailing duties on the company earlier this summer. OCP told POLITICO that its first shipment since the duties were lifted has arrived in New Orleans, bringing 54,000 metric tons of phosphate fe...

U.S. ethanol production fell to a five-week low last week, while output remained above year-ago and five-year average levels. The Renewable Fuels Association, analyzing Energy Information Administration data, says production for the week ending August 14 dropped 2.5 percent to 1.09 million barrels per day, or 45.74 mil...

Canada has temporarily avoided a 50 percent U.S. tariff after reaching a last-minute agreement with the Trump administration, just hours before the higher duties were scheduled to take effect. President Donald Trump said Tuesday night that he was pausing the tariffs for three days while the two countries finalize the a...

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has awarded more than $1.6 million through its Nitrogen Enhanced Efficiency Fertilizer Discount program to expand the use of nitrogen‑saving fertilizer technologies on farms across Minnesota. The investment supports farmers in improving nutrient use efficiency, protecting water...

Gov. Kelly Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring today voted with the State Water Commission to activate a water supply assistance program for livestock producers as the governor declared a drought disaster for extremely dry conditions across North Dakota. "This July ranked as one of the hottest and...

U.S. sugar producers and policymakers are pressing for changes to what they say is an outdated tariff structure that is contributing to record-high sugar stocks. The issue was discussed at the American Sugar Alliance's 41st annual International Sweetener Symposium in Colorado, where sugarbeet and sugarcane producers me...

Canada and the United States remain at an impasse in trade negotiations as a 50 percent U.S. tariff threat on hundreds of Canadian goods approaches Wednesday. Canadian negotiators are seeking relief from existing tariffs while trying to prevent the new duties from taking effect. U.S. officials say Canada's treatment of...

The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger faces another important step as the Surface Transportation Board reviews whether the deal would benefit competition. Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern submitted additional information in July after the STB requested more details before moving forward with its review. ...

Fertilizer prices are expected to remain above pre-Iran war levels through 2028, according to a new report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange. Farmers and agricultural retailers continue to face higher costs as conflicts and supply disruptions affect global fertilizer markets. CoBank economist Jacqui Fatka says Middle Ea...

Ethanol producers and industry leaders will gather Aug. 19-21 in Minneapolis for the American Coalition for Ethanol's 39th annual conference, focused on expanding markets and navigating federal policy. The conference theme, "Fueling Freedom," ties ethanol to America's 250th anniversary and its role in domesti...

U.S. soybean export sales jumped during the latest reporting week, providing encouraging news for farmers heading toward harvest. USDA data released Thursday showed sales for delivery during the 2026-27 marketing year reached 1.76 million metric tons during the week ending August 6. Agriculture.com reports that was nea...

A sudden Tyson Foods beef plant closure in Illinois is creating uncertainty for cattle producers across the Midwest. Tyson closed its beef processing facility in Joslin, Illinois, eliminating roughly 3,000 head of daily cattle slaughter capacity. The shutdown leaves cattle feeders searching for alternative processing o...

National Cattlemen's Beef Association Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall on Thursday issued a statement in response to Tyson Foods' announced closure of its beef processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, and additional restructuring efforts: "NCBA is troubled by the closure of the Joslin beef processing facility. F...

U.S. sales of agricultural tractors dropped nearly 11% in July 2026 compared to the year before, with combine sales declining more than 5% in the same period. This is according to new data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. Canadian agricultural tractor sales fell nearly 8% in July, while combine sales de...

The National Corn Growers Association filed comments this week with the Office of Management and Budget, encouraging the agency to reconsider updates recommended by one of its committees to more directly capture the economic impact of the emerging bioeconomy. "While growth in this sector has made significant contr...

A new women's professional fastpitch softball league is helping put ethanol fuel in front of fans across the country. The Renewable Fuels Association partnered with the Kansas City Diamonds during the league's inaugural season as the team's official fuel and patch sponsor. The Diamonds finished second in both the regul...