Purdue University/CME Group’s Ag Economy Barometer Index rose 17 points in June to a reading of 121. The upswing in farmer sentiment was driven by producers’ more optimistic view of the future. However, their perception of current conditions remained unchanged from May. The Index of Future Expectations rose 25 points to 123, while the Index of Current Conditions held flat …
Smaller Soybean Crop Has Traders Re-aligning Strategies
Due to USDA’s plantings report showing a smaller soybean crop this year, traders are now re-aligning their strategies. Mark Oppold has more information. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Questioning the Grain Trade Pullback
There are many questioning the recent pullback in the grain trade. Mark Oppold reports it is hard to understand the bullishness being found right now. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Farmers’ Share of July Fourth Food Dollar Continues to Shrink
That meal you enjoyed on the Fourth isn’t paying farmers what it used to. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The National Farmers Union (NFU) released the 2023 numbers for the Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar Report covering several items typically found at a Fourth of July cookout. The NFU says every year, the troubling trend of …
Tracking Commodity Prices for First Half of Year
Some of the 48 commodities being tracked did fairly well through the first half of the year. Mark Oppold looks at some of the top performers, including agricultural commodities. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Watching the Weather in the Grain Trade
We’ve talked before how the weekly crop reports are something grain traders look at closely. And as Mark Oppold reports, this is especially true right now as all eyes are on weather conditions. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Most Grilling Costs Stay Higher This Summer
We check on the costs of grilling this summer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Cheeseburgers will cost more this year for an Independence Day cookout. USDA says that in May 2023, the ingredients for a home-prepared ¼-pound cheeseburger totaled $2.17 per burger, an increase of 10 cents from 2022. Prices for cheeseburger ingredients grew more slowly over …
Watching the Grain Market Sell-Off
Traders continue to watch what is happening with the grain trade. As Mark Oppold reports, some wonder just how low is too low. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Tracking the Crude Oil Market
With another holiday period nearing, Mark Oppold takes time to look at what is happening with the crude oil market. Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024
Plan Would Increase Access to Crop and Livestock Insurance
Representatives Randy Feenstra (R-IA) and Angie Craig (D-MN) introduced the Crop Insurance for Future Farmers Act. It would equip new producers, beginning farmers, and U.S. veterans with the crop insurance protections they need to be productive, profitable, and successful. The legislation would align the definition of “Beginning Farmer” to match most other beginning-farmer programs, extending crop and livestock insurance protections …