Growing Harvest Ag Network

It’s been a long time coming, but one ag economist very familiar with the process says Congress could very likely pass a Farm Bill before Christmas. Dr. Bart Fischer, Co-director of the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University, has been involved in every major ag policy development in Washington, D.C. since the 2014 Farm Bill. Fischer says House and Senate staffers are hammering out details right now. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Competitive Markets Action and its affiliated political action committee are shutting down after three and a half years of advocating for independent farmers and competitive agricultural markets. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agriculture Department Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at some states reporting a slower pace than average in harvest of their corn crop as of November 1. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The deadline is approaching to sign up for Pasture, Rangeland and Forage Insurance, or PRF, for 2027. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Karl Hoppe, NDSU Extension Livestock Specialist. Hoppe discusses best practices for backgrounding calves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The September USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, known as NASS, Crop Production Estimates led to some of the largest single-day declines in December corn futures during 2026. But the numbers were not accurate. Faith Parum, the deputy chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked about the corrections. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The type of pumpkin grown is a factor in what growers receive price-wise for their product, per a USDA research economist. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Wardner, Executive Director of the North Dakota Beef Commission, discusses the facts behind the Oct. 23, 2026, ruling and any changes this could mean for the commission moving forward. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing use of GLP-1 medications is reshaping how consumers shop for protein. This creates new opportunities for some animal agriculture sectors. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Rachel Gibbs, Small Ruminant Extension Specialist at the Hettinger Research Extension Center. Gibbs has the details on federal trade officials investigating the impact of imported lamb on U.S. sheep producers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farmers need the help provided by the Harvest Fuel Relief program, but National Farmers Union President Rob Larew says it is only a temporary fix. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An Oklahoma State University livestock market economist said the USDA’s new five-state reporting system addresses a growing challenge in cattle price discovery. Dr. Derrell Peel talked about the new system. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

Farmers continue to deal with rising input costs. We visited with North Dakota Ag Commissioner Doug Goehring about the high costs producers are paying to produce a crop. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FFA has grown dramatically over the past decade and a half, expanding its reach beyond traditional rural communities. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Economic conditions across the rural Midwest weakened in October, with the Rural Mainstreet Index falling to 42.5, its lowest reading since July. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2024, foreign entities controlled an increasing number of agricultural acres. Faith Parum, the deputy chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked through the numbers. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says mild and showery weather is expected for much of the country for the period of November 3 - 9. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Walcott farmer and North Dakota Corn Growers Association Board Member Ben Bakko recently participated in a policy roundtable hosted by U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. soybean export inspections increased last week, while corn and wheat shipments headed overseas slowed, according to the latest USDA report. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of cattle in U.S. feedlots edged lower from a year ago, while placements fell to a record September low, according to the latest USDA Cattle on Feed Report. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA is investing $57 million dollars to boost American Meat Processing Capacity and Support our nation’s ranchers. Processers in 40 states are expected to receive $57 million to expand their capacity and create new and better markets through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP). Source: USDA See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agriculture Department Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at states reporting significant jumps in corn harvest progress as of October 25. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The idea of using food as medicine is gaining traction among policymakers and health care leaders. During a discussion on nutrition and public health, Dr. Oz, who serves as administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, argued that better diets could improve health outcomes while reducing health care costs. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Farm income is not keeping up with the rising costs of groceries. Terri Moore, vice president of communications for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says farmers get a very small share of every dollar spent on food. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A University of Illinois Extension educator has been studying the plight of small-town grocery stores. John Shadowens started looking at the subject five years ago. He says it’s a challenging business model, but he believes there is a future for those type of operations. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration announced it will provide $8 billion in relief for farmers getting squeezed during harvest by the high price of diesel fuel. John Newton, vice president of public policy and economic analysis for the American Farm Bureau, talked about the potential impact on farmers. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal temperatures and moisture is expected for much of the nation during the period of October 27 - November 2. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The dairy market is sending mixed signals. While exports remain strong and demand for dairy protein continues to grow, cheese prices have struggled. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment features North Dakota Corn Growers Association board member Mark Belter. Belter represented NDCGA during a recent Farm Bill roundtable with Sen. Hoeven and Chair of the US Senate Ag Committee, Sen. John Boozman (AR). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

The Cattle Markets showed weakness heading into the fall season, but now that we are into late October, the markets seem to be showing some promise. Jess Peterson, a rancher and the Senior Policy Advisor for U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, highlighted the usual ups and downs that occur in the fall. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Diesel and gas prices began the week heading in opposite directions. Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com says that various geopolitical tensions, whether that’s the U.S. and Iran, Russia and Ukraine remain top of mind for the oil markets. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

John Sandbakken with the National Sunflower Association discusses how sunflower harvest is progressing across the region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA's October U.S. supply and demand estimates show a larger wheat production forecast. So, what does that mean for the balance sheet? World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Carlos Pires, NDSU Extension Soil Health Specialist. Pires discusses the soil health benefits of utilizing cover crops. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global food inflation could accelerate in the coming months and persist well into 2027, as shipping disruptions, higher production costs, and drought threaten supplies. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The John Deere Foundation announced an $18.5 million multi-year Farm-to-Plate strategy to address food insecurity in the Midwest. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Higher diesel prices may prompt farmers to rethink where they deliver grain, even when a buyer farther away offers a higher price. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey looks at states with notable very poor to poor corn crop condition ratings as of October 18. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strong consumer demand continues to support the cattle market, even as producers manage historically small herd numbers and tighter supplies. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association says demand remains one of the brightest spots in agriculture today. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drones are more of a mainstream farm management tool than ever before. Bernt (BEAR-ent) Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said drones are blanketing a rapidly increasing number of farmland acres. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nominations are now open for the 2027 Environmental Stewardship Awards, recognizing cattle producers who demonstrate outstanding conservation and land-management practices. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Parts of Nebraska and elsewhere across the Plains states and Midwest were impacted by heavy rainfall in September, and that has discolored some of the soybean crop. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski goes over month over month changes in USDA's October supply and demand estimates for our nation's corn crop. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says above normal weather and near to above normal precipitation are in the forecast for the period of October 20 - 26. USDA Radio Newsline See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Farmers Union is welcoming a new USDA and Federal Trade Commission inquiry into competition concerns in the agricultural equipment market. NFU President Rob Larew says farmers have long raised concerns about consolidation and limited competition. He believes the investigation could help ensure existing antitrust laws are enforced. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a draft rule to reallocate 100 percent of renewable fuel volumes lost through small refinery exemptions. The EPA proposed a rule would provide 100 percent reallocation of the renewable fuel volume requirements that were recently waived for 29 small refineries. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With limited cattle supplies continuing to support high prices, how long will it take to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd and turn the markets? Tim Strunk is a hedging strategist with AgMarket.net. NAFB News Service See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.