Cost of Production
While most states anticipate a reduction in their total number of cotton acres, some exceptions exist. Farmers in Arizona, Virginia and Kansas are expected to plant more cotton than their respective 3-year averages.
Be proactive in evaluating crop emergence and uniformity. That information will help you make timely, informed decisions that are best for your farm and your financial needs this season.
Knowing the final plant population as well as the uniformity of the stand can guide you in deciding whether you will benefit most from keeping the current crop or ripping it out and replanting, says Missy Bauer, Farm Journal Field Agronomist.
David Cogen partnered with John Deere during the 2024 growing season to till, plant, spray and harvest a small field at Deere’s Boundurant, Iowa, test farm. In the process, he says he learned a lot about farming and how difficult it truly is.
Randy Hughes is continually refining his fertility program and has seen yields improve 40 bu. to 50 bu. per acre over the past six years. Hughes chats with corn yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy about the importance of being a lifelong student of the crop.
For high-yielding corn and soybean crops, there are some baseline fertility requirements you have to fund. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fine-tune practices and products and save some money. Here are four suggestions from high-yield champs David Hula and Randy Dowdy.
With a career focusing in nutrient management, earlier this winter Tom Snipes became CEO of fertilizer breakout company Ostara as it continues to expand the footprint with its Crystal Green fertilizer.
On the cusp of the 1980s farm crisis, Mark Hanna’s rookie years of farming were tough. Through relentless effort to pay down debt while investing in improvements to his operation, Hanna’s career has been one of perseverance and success, making him a 2025 Top Producer of the Year finalist.
The deadline to make your crop insurance decisions is coming soon, and Dave Jansen with Strategic Farm Marketing says there have been major changes to this year’s products.
Experts from Compeer Financial say last year’s coverage might not be adequate for this year’s cost of production, and coverage might not have the same effect it did last year or even two years ago.
Among the independent field agronomists’ recommendations: Address your No. 1 yield-limiting factor, employ the 5% rule and fix soil pH.
Find out why University of Illinois professor Gary Schnitkey says maximizing profits may not mean maximizing yield.
A new report from Farmers National Company shows what trends are shaping land values as well as what to expect regionally.
Data from Iowa State and Peoples Company shows farmland values have softened this year, but by how much (and why) might surprise you.
Take a controlled, calibrated approach to the process, advises Ken Ferrie. That will help you build a framework for high yields next season and protect soil nutrient levels in the process.
The report shares markets are at a crossroads—prices could move in either direction.
Technology doesn’t need to automatically be the first thing on the chopping block.
When times are tough is when farmers need their trusted advisers the most, says Greg Martinelli.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently floated this policy to crack down on price gouging, but looking back on a similar plan from the Nixon administration shows not everything needs a second chance.
The new numbers show that net farm income will fall $6.5 billion or 4.4%. This is compared to projections released in February suggesting it would fall 26%.
Jim Rothermich of Iowa Appraisal joins the Top Producer podcast to share what he’s tracking in farmland auctions.
Based on trials conducted at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, postdoctoral researcher Connor Sible shares tips for getting the most out of your bean crop.
Farmers are making the decision between buying fertilizer now amid some of the tightest crop margins ever, waiting until spring to make purchases or cutting the input all together.
FSA says these changes will increase opportunities for farmers and ranchers to be financially viable.
Property insurance costs for farmers and ranchers have been increasing, driven by several factors, including climate change, market conditions, and rising production expenses.
Headwinds in interest rates, inflation and commodity prices seem to have little impact on land values, though single-digit decreases in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio have been reported.
Paul Neiffer reviews the important updates to the new Farm Bill proposals from the House Ag Committee.
The grants are intended to increase domestic fertilizer production, strengthen competition and lower costs for U.S. farmers.
The oilseed could be a fit now for growers in Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, southern Illinois, and parts of Alabama and Mississippi. Bunge Chevron Ag Renewables is offering a 2024/25 production program.
Purdue’s Ag Economy Barometer Index is up for March - something Jim Mintert says is a result of increased farmer optimism for the future.