Propane Prices Heading Higher

Dan Biofuels/Energy, Economy

Liquid Propane (LP) prices in the U.S. could be heading higher based on current supply/demand factors. A Successful Farming article says that could mean higher corn drying costs for farmers this fall. Looking ahead to the LP market environment for grain drying in the fall, analysts are said to be using descriptions like “train wreck” and “tug-of-war.” The rising LP …

Overall Bankruptcy Rates Dropping

Dan Economy

Despite challenges from COVID-19 and bad weather, higher commodity prices and government support have finally turned the tide around on year-over-year increases in Chapter 12 bankruptcies. The American Farm Bureau looked at data from the U.S. Courts from June 2020 through June 2021 and found there were 438 Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings, down 24 percent. The number of Chapter 12 …

Milk Prices below Expectations, Could Go Lower Next Year

Dan Dairy, Economy

Earlier this month, it was announced that the June margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program dropped 65 cents from May’s margin to $6.24/cwt, which will generate a June payment of $3.26/cwt for $9.50/cwt coverage. So dairy operators are getting the benefits of the DMC program this year, and according to a story from Gary Crawford, that may continue in 2022. …

USDA Unveils New Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program

Dan Dairy, Economy

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced details of the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program. Through the new program, USDA will provide about $350 million in pandemic assistance payments to dairy farmers who received a lower value for their products due to market abnormalities caused by the pandemic. The assistance is part of a larger package including permanent improvements …

Milk Prices Below Expectations, Could Go Lower Next Year

Dan Dairy, Economy

Earlier this month, it was announced that the June margin under the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program dropped 65 cents from May’s margin to $6.24/cwt, which will generate a June payment of $3.26/cwt for $9.50/cwt coverage. So dairy operators are getting the benefits of the DMC program this year, and according to a story from Gary Crawford that may continue in …

Retail Fresh Fruit Prices Drop in July

Dan Citrus, Economy, Fruits, Specialty Crops

Retail prices for fresh fruit are coming down, but are still considerably higher than a year ago. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024

Legislation Designed to Improve Livestock Assistance

Dan Cattle, Economy, Legislative

North Dakota Republican John Hoeven and Montana Democrat Jon Tester introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate to improve livestock disaster assistance. The Hagstrom Report says the bill is designed to accomplish several things, including aligning coverage between the Livestock Forage Program (LFP) and Emergency Livestock Assistance Program (ELAP). It will also increase producer assistance under LFP to compensate them more …

Agricultural Land Values Making Big Gains in 2021

Dan Economy

We’ve reported before how the interest in buying agricultural land has been growing after the COVID-19 slowdown blanketed the land market in 2020. And the value of that land continues to climb as well. Rod Bain has a story looking at the reasons behind a substantial year-over-year increase in agricultural land values. According to Farmers National Company, individual investors, both first-time, …

U.S. Ag Tractor Sales Hold Steady in July

Dan Economy

Gains in larger and four-wheel-drive tractors offset smaller declines in the sub-40 horsepower range in the U.S. in July. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says U.S. total farm tractor sales fell 0.8 percent in July compared to 2020, while U.S. combine sales jumped 19.2 percent. The articulated four-wheel drive segment led the way for the third straight month by climbing …

Infrastructure Bill Discussed at Cattle Industry Convention

Dan Cattle, Economy

Tuesday, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which includes investments of importance to many areas of agriculture. One group pleased to see this passage is the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). And during this week’s Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in Nashville, Tennessee, NCBA Sr. Executive Director of Government Affairs, Danielle Beck, explained to Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman why …