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Despite nearly 24 inches of snow, below-zero temperatures and raging winds that some people are affectionately calling “Death Storm #2,” Illinois livestock producers are finding ways to overcome the horrific conditions.

From the intense heat in the South to drought blanketing much of the U.S., weather stole headlines again in 2023. What caused such extreme conditions? One meteorologist explains the culprits of the heat and drought.

According to the meteorologists at BAMwx, the upcoming month in Brazil could be comparable to this past August for U.S. soybeans.

West Texas is the largest cotton production area in the country, but after battling drought and heat, area farmers say the dryland crop is a failure, and the irrigated acres are only yielding half of normal.

The shift to El Nino brings several changes to the upcoming winter.

Hitting the road on Pro Farmer Crop Tour this week? I hope you packed your rain gear.

Arizona is breaking records for consecutive days with temperatures 110 degrees or above. Yuma County, Arizona farmer John Boelts says he always plans for high heat in July and grow crops like cotton instead of lettuce.

With heat forecast to top 100 degrees in places, combined with the expectation for little to no rain, crop conditions could deteriorate and the biggest risk in the western and central Corn Belt.

Soybeans planted from April 3 to April 10 were hit the hardest as they were snared by temperatures dipping below 28°F. Corn didn't dodge the damage, either. Ferrie says some corn crops at the V1 stage were smoked.

Don't let the rush to plant cause you to be filled with regret and utter these five words at some point: "I wish I had waited." Chilled seed corn struggles to emerge and grow. It can cost you 10% of your stand.

The Corn Belt will see a cooler weather pattern set in, and parts of the parched Plains will see higher chances of rain during the next couple of weeks, according to Eric Snodgrass of Nutrien Ag Solutions.

From the potential for more cold weather later this week to additional moisture increasing chances for flooding in the upper Midwest, the forecast for the remainder of April could hold a few more surprises.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey is concerned about the impact this week's high heat could have on corn production as the majority of the crop was planted late. The August forecasts are also concerning for soybeans.

U.S. natural gas futures rose 2% to a four-week high on forecasts for hotter weather and more demand than previously expected. Extreme heat already boosted power demand to record highs in several parts of the country.

Feedyards battled through the intense conditions to keep their cattle safe this week. The heat and humidity proved devastating, and estimates point to western Kansas feedlots seeing losses of 100 to 500 head per day.

This week, dangerous heat is sweeping across Texas to Wisconsin to Ohio to Georgia.

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

The USDA Farm Service Agency offers some standing disaster programs to help assist food animal producers and others who are being affected by the extreme cold temperatures.

The Northern Plains will stay dry and cold, and the Central Plains into the Ohio Valley will be hit with a parade of snow events over the next two weeks.

A big ridge of high pressure is still in place for much of the United States. That means heat is likely to stay put longer.

Summer is almost here but it may already feel like it for some.

The propane issues continue to plague Iowa farmers as harvest drags on, reports AgDay National Reporter Betsy Jibben.

Kirk Heinz and Michael Clark of BAMWX.com validated those fears on an episode of AgriTalk this week. 

The dangerous cold temperatures that blanketed the Midwest this week also impacted meat processors and grain elevator operations, as companies worked to protect employees.