Field Posts

DTN’s 2023 Ag Summit, and the 2023 crop year is officially a wrap, and farmers across the country are looking forward to more than just 2024. The end of the year is, for many, a time to think about the generations past and those still to come, and it’s at time at DTN when we think about the young farmers and ranchers who are confidently leading the way into an uncertain future.  In that vein, DTN’...

Though the December WASDE dropped Friday, December 8th, the neutrality and general lack of changes in the report meant that DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman could focus more on his discussion at the 2023 DTN Ag Summit about the bigger picture in the markets and how it might drive markets in 2024 and beyond.  Today, we’re dropping in on Todd’s market forecast to hear more about how he sees t...

The 2023 DTN Ag Summit wrapped up in early December with DTN Ag Meteorologist  John Baranick helping attendees look ahead to the 2024 crop season with an eye to weather in the US and around the world. After months of establishing a new El Nino pattern that’s edged towards a super El Nino event, the latest models are predicting that that effect may diminish mid-way through next year, sending weathe...

From November 9th to the 15th, equipment manufacturers from around the world descended on Hanover, Germany to unveil new equipment and introduce farmers to their most advanced technologies at the annual Agritechnica Trade Show.  Progressive Farmer Senior Editor Joel Reichenberger was there, visiting with some of the 3000+ vendors to stay abreast of announcements ranging from advanced combines to n...

Fertilizer prices across the board are down off near all-time highs from this time last year, and providing less angst as the farm sector moves into the winter months. However, that doesn’t mean that uncertainty and risk are gone, as two global conflicts in key fertilizer exporting regions threaten to throttle supply if conditions change. This week, we’re joined by DTN editor and reporter Russ Qui...

The November WASDE dropped Nov. 9, 2023, bringing with it the unexpected announcement of an expected record corn crop. After late season drought impacted much of the corn belt, this update came as a shock to market watchers, and helped contribute to a bearish outlook in the marketplace.  DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to offer his insight on what’s informing USDA’s evolving...

With harvest well underway and the end of the year looming, many farmers are starting to think about what equipment they might upgrade or purchase before 2024 arrives. And there is a lot to consider. From the increasing opportunity to acquire autonomous tools like grain carts to upgrades on tractors, combines, and implements, the world of farm equipment is advancing fast, and staying on top of the...

With harvest well in view for most farmers, plans for winter down time are also coming into focus. For years, DTN’s Ag Summit has been helping farmers prepare strategically for the uncertainties in the markets, weather and current events of the year to come, and this year is no exception. We’re talking to DTN’s Katie Dehlinger today about this year’s event, entitled “Fortifying Your Financial Foun...

For nearly two years now, record high land sales have seemingly become a monthly or even weekly occurrence in the markets for agricultural acres — especially in the heart of the Corn Belt. As prices have continued to climb even as commodity prices cool and interest rates rise, many have started to question what factors are driving this white hot sector. And there are a lot of factors, from the cla...

The October WASDE dropped Thursday, October 12th, and it wasn’t certain that it would, given the threat of a government shutdown that was narrowly avoided in recent weeks. Chaos in Congress is just one of the breaking news stories causing anxiety throughout financial and commodity markets, especially after a renewed conflict in the Middle East thrust the geopolitical state of Central Asia and East...

Cattle producers have been enjoying a generally positive year in the markets so far, and there’s hope for more good times ahead even as the seasons shift and growers begin the longer term work of rebuilding herds. But uncertainties remain — from the impacts of near-record high carcass weights to an uncertain winter weather outlook. DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart joins us today to discuss the...

If Congress doesn’t act in the next couple of days to continue funding government agencies, by Sunday, October 1st, the federal government will be back in shutdown mode, and the consequences could be wide ranging. For the ag sector, worries about everything from FSA loan processing to passing a farm bill to what a downgrade in the US’s financial rating could mean are keeping many keen eyes trained...

Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from across the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project. These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through  weekly calls and check-ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the broader farm community.  The second 2023 farmers we’re checking in with are...

The September WASDE dropped Tuesday, September 12th, finding DTN’s Lead Analyst Todd Hultman on the road in Nebraska — talking with farmers about the disconnect between USDA’s prediction of a near-record corn crop and what growers see out in the fields. Going into the report, expectations were high that a reduction in yield estimates for US grains could bring some bullishness to the market, but wi...

As a sultry August turns to September and the weather world is riveted by hurricanes and tropical storms, farmers across the corn belt are continuing to deal with unexpectedly persistent hot and dry weather that’s sapping the last hope for a yield rebound. With harvest already queued up, attention is starting to shift to the further future — where an intensifying El Nino indicates that this winter...

For farmland owners who aren’t interested in simply selling off heritage property to the highest bidder, exploring alternatives can be a daunting process — even when there is a clear farm family heir who’s interested in continuing the business. The good news is, there are multiple options for property holders who are committed to avoiding development and keeping their land in agriculture — and DTN...

DTN’s sixth annual Digital Yield Tour wrapped up just days ago on August 11th, 2023, and the tour’s conclusion coincided with a USDA report that largely agreed with the event's findings. Which is to say — 2023 started out rough, but the corn crop in particular is making a stunning comeback.    Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to reveal both the national and the state l...

The August WASDE dropped Friday, August 11th, coming on the heels of DTN’s Annual Digital Yield tour and of USDA’s most recent farmer surveys. Overall, perspectives on the August report were positive, as USDA seemed to adjust crop estimates to be more in line with perspectives from farmers and analysts– reflecting a crop that’s improving, but that had a very difficult start. DTN’s Lead Analyst Tod...

On July 27th, the 2023 Spring Wheat and Durum Tour hosted by the Wheat Quality Council wrapped up its survey of the Northern Plains crop, tallying three days and hundreds of fields of data into a final overall yield prediction of about 47 bushels per acre — despite summer drought conditions and an uncertain start to the season. DTN Crops Editor Jason Jenkins made his way from Fargo across the stat...

A shifting drought picture and more favorable weather in key cow-calf states are colliding with dry weather in the corn belt and extreme heat in the Southern US to make for an uncertain cost picture in today’s cattle market. But nevertheless, inventory remains tight and prices are strong as the market slides towards Labor Day.  DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart joins us today to discuss recent...

Since 2005, DTN Progressive Farmer has been selecting two farmers every year from across the country to participate in their annual View from the Cab Project.  These farmers spend a full year getting to know DTN’s Pamela Smith as they work through  weekly calls and check ins, sharing their stories and their seasons with the broader farm community.  The first 2023 farmer we’re checking in with is Z...

DTN’s 6th annual digital yield tour is just a few weeks away — getting started August 7th and running through August 11th. DTN’s tour partner Gro Intelligence will be back with industry-leading, real time predictions of national yield for corn and soybeans, as well as much more granular breakdowns to the state level.  Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us for a preview of the to...

The July WASDE dropped Wednesday, July 12th, and as it came on the heels of an unprecedented June 30th planted acreage report, updates were expected for USDA’s outlook. What analysts actually saw in the July WASDE however, left many scratching their heads– trying to understand how USDA could translate a drought stricken crop throughout the corn belt into an all-time record yield prediction. DTN’s...

An unexpected Derecho was whipping across key parts of the corn belt today as we recorded this podcast, representing just the latest in a long line of storms and unpredictable weather events that have crowded the forecast at the last minute so far this season. One thing’s for certain– as the La Nina ebbs and the El Nino comes into full effect, the wilder the possibilities get on the weather front....

Before the flashy demo at the farm show and the test drive at the local retailer, a lot of farm tech gets its start in university labs. Today, we’re zooming in on what’s happening in one small corner of the basic research space, to get an idea what might be in the future of soil moisture and nutrient management.  Today, we’re joined by Senior Editor for The Progressive Farmer Joel Richenberger (Ri...