Latest News From Sara Schafer

USDA made a historic move with its May 12 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, by dropping the national corn yield below trendline.

A bullish set of fundamentals pushed corn prices to this high level, says Dan Basse, president of AgResource Company, and those factors could actually be getting more bullish. 

As of May 1, USDA estimates 14% of the U.S. corn crop has been planted. That compares to a five-year average of 33% planted.

Farmland sales continue to raise eyebrows and challenge—or set—records. Just look at these farmland sales results.

The end of the South American monsoon has come earlier than average this year due to La Niña. The drier finish on the Safrinha crops will limit their yield potential.

Apply product when and where you need it at the optimum rate.

Understand how global headwinds and tailwinds will affect your operation.

Look for signs of this early-season nuisance this spring.

For 17 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth. That’s according to the March Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) from Creighton University.

Farmers and ag cooperative need to be on high alert this spring. That’s according to the FBI, which is predicting cyber criminals might attack the industry during planting and harvest. 

A rising tide lifts all boats, and that might be what’s happening in the grain and oilseed markets. This week kicked off with another big rally in prices.

High prices cure high prices, but will that be the case with the record-breaking farmland prices seen in 2021 and early 2022?

Easter egg supplies could be at risk due to the expanding outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

For 2022, USDA are expecting more soybean acres than corn. That’s according to the 2022 Prospective Plantings report released on March 31.

All eyes will be on USDA’s planting numbers on Thursday, March 31. Will acres swing hard to corn, soybeans or be split down the middle?

Farm commodity prices, production costs and consumer food prices are higher than would have been expected a few months ago, according to the 2022 U.S. Baseline Outlook report by FAPRI.

For March 2021, the Rural Mainstreet Index sits at 65.4. That is up from February’s 61.5.

The 2022 increase in values marks the largest increase state since 2014 and is the highest non-inflation-adjusted statewide land value in the history of the survey.

China contains the largest population of any country in the world. All those mouths drive demand across the globe and for your farm’s products.

There may never be a more important time to focus on the relationships with your employees.

Volatility is here to stay in the grain markets — but so could higher prices. 

In the March World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, USDA made a deeper cut than expected to global soybean production.

The global soybean crop keeps shrinking, led by a massive decrease in South America.

The dramatic development of the U.S. renewable diesel industry is similar to how ethanol changed the U.S. corn industry. But it could be more even disruptive.

For 15 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.

Congratulations to Martin Angus, the 2022 recipient of the Tomorrow’s Top Producer Horizon Award. Take a virtual trip to their diversified operation nestled in the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia.

Congratulations to Todd, Louise and the Malecha family for being named the 2022 Top Producer of the Year. Pay a virtual visit to their dairy farm in Villard, Minn., to learn how they stay focused on goals and values.

Farmland remains in a delicate supply-versus-demand balance.

The global economy is facing numerous headwinds and tailwinds. Many of the forces at play will impact your farm.

Last year showed how dry conditions create the perfect playground for a few  yield-robbing pests. The conditions could be ripe again for drought-loving pests to emerge.

Dry conditions in South America continue to damage crop potential.

Ukraine is a key player in global agriculture, and how these conflicts play out will have international impacts.

Last year was hot. It was so hot, 2021 now holds the record for the hottest ocean temperatures ever.

AgriTalk’s Davis Michaelson hosted Vince Malanga, president of LaSalle Economics, on Tuesday, Jan. 25, to dive into the current events and potential market impacts. 

After growing up in a small town in northeast Michigan, spending time in Bosnia and earning a degree in economics from Iowa State University, Kauffman started his career with the Federal Reserve. 

For 14 straight months, the rural economy has posted healthy and consistent growth.

Despite many challenges in 2021, U.S. corn and soybean yields topped those of 2020.

Home to 21% of the world’s population, China possesses only 7% of productive farmland. As such, shifts in the composition have effects that ripple across the globe. 

Dryness in South America prompted USDA to cut production estimates for key countries, such as Brazil, Argentina.

Cold temperatures may or may not reduce populations.

This data confirms the obvious — there is plenty of income and cash in farm country and is being reflected in the record prices being paid for farmland.

Understand how and why you are paid for carbon.

At Top Producer Summit, Sarah Frey will share live lessons about how to see past life's imperfections and find the good even in dark times.

Scouting fields for pest problems is a vital component of crop health and yield outcome.

How will she impact drought conditions in 2022?

Prepare for a dynamic farmland market in 2022.

Rob Myers brings his expertise in soil health, conservation and crop diversification to help farmers, landowners and ag retailers create a resilient agriculture industry.

The Ducheneaux family reconnects consumers with their food source 

What trends will shape the next year or five? Watch these areas.  

Increasing demand and economic recovery create stable outlook.