Politics

U.S. farmers harvested the second-largest corn and soybean crops on record last fall, improving carries in the futures market and lifting the margin outlook for grain elevators storing corn and soybeans.

Several environmental groups are suing California air regulators over their recent update of a contentious climate program, saying they failed to address the pollution impacts of biofuels.

The annual Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry will be held Feb. 1 at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds with a theme of “People of Purdue Agriculture.”

This past year marked my second full year serving as executive vice president at the American Farm Bureau Federation and it has been inspiring to see our organization flourish as we serve farmers and ranchers.

Farmers were slightly less optimistic about the economy in December compared to November, according to the latest reading of the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

The H-2A program is one way farmers can solve the need of qualified employees for their operations.

By far the biggest lender to U.S. farmers, ranchers and rural businesses is the Farm Credit System whose four banks and 56 associations hold nearly 50% of all debt in rural America.

Congress approved a one-year extension to the 2018 farm bill late on Dec. 20 that included nearly $31 billion in disaster and economic assistance for farmers and ranchers.

Agriculture groups are grateful that Congress extended the 2018 farm bill for another year, but urge lawmakers to stay focused on new, modernized legislation that recognizes the many changes and challenges of the past six years.

When we talk about water issues in Indiana, you might think we’re concerned with water quality rather than quantity.

Family farms accounted for 96% of total U.S. farms and 83% of the total value of production, according to the Agricultural Resource Management Survey.

The 25th annual First State Bank Ag Conference, a special forum for area farmers, is scheduled for 10 a.m. Jan. 23 at the Mendota Civic Center.

Why the results surprised anyone is itself a surprise. After the state of California began testing dairy herds for highly pathogenic avian influenza, known also as bird flu or H5N1, in August, it found the pathogen on 645 dairy farms.

California officials have declared a state of emergency over the spread of bird flu, which is tearing through dairy cows in that state and causing sporadic illnesses in people in the United States.

Twisted equipment and snapped tree limbs still litter Chris Hopkins’ Georgia farm more than two months after Hurricane Helene made its deadly march across the South.

Two central Illinois agriculture teachers already had plenty on their plates as they watched and listened to the news.

The Indiana Corn Growers Association reelected Chris Cherry, a farmer from New Palestine, as president.

Conservation practice adoption, pesticide regulations and biofuel tax credits are just a few of the issues for agriculture entering 2025.

The Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts announced the selection of Eliot Clay as its new executive director.

America’s farmers and ranchers have such a great story to share, and it’s critical for the public to better understand what goes into growing the food, fiber and renewable fuel that drives our nation.

Before 2024 slides into history, some noteworthy farm and food updates, please, to ensure these stories go with it.

As a farmer and rancher, I’ve learned to count on the seasons. They don’t wait. The crops don’t hold off until it’s convenient, and the livestock don’t adjust their needs to fit my schedule.

PrairiErth Farm will host a fruit tree pruning workshop on Feb. 8.

Delegates at the 2024 Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention reelected Randy Kron president of INFB by acclamation.

During a special reception for county leaders at the 2024 Indiana Farm Bureau State Convention, the organization recognized the achievements of county Farm Bureaus in 2024.

The two most important forces shaping the cooperative business model are future farmers and talent management.

While the president-elect continues to nominate prospective members of his incoming administration, the outgoing Congress faces a hectic sprint to complete a long list of unmet legislative duties before their pre-Christmas adjournment.

The policies that impact our daily lives are often shaped at the local level. Yes, state and national policies are very important, but I cannot help but notice that sometimes we lose sight of what’s right in front of us in our communities.

Garrett Hawkins, a Waterloo farmer, was elected president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association for 2024-2025 at its recent reorganizational meeting.

If you believe in striking while the iron is hot, you got to love Summit Carbon Solutions’ swift, decisive action on its multibillion-dollar, CO2 pipeline just weeks after Donald Trump was reelected.

The legacy of Mike Plumer’s soil conservation work continues to live on through those he taught.

The general manager of locally-owned ethanol plant was the recipient of the Illinois Corn Growers Association’s Ethanol Award.

A public hearing for a proposed wheat checkoff was held at the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The proposal calls for a 1.5-cent checkoff per bushel of wheat sold in Illinois.

Nearly every autopsy of Vice President Kamala Harris’s stinging White House defeat begins with some variation of the phrase, “Voters pointed to the rising price of food as their chief concern.”

A new digital platform designed to assist farmers implement precision farming strategies was rolled out this year.

If you want to enjoy a taste of Indiana goodness, add an Indiana Grown Holiday Box to your Christmas wish list this year.

The U.S. agriculture sector is responsible for nearly 6% of the nation’s gross national product, yet it is operating on farm bill policy set six years ago.

Illinois soybean farmers will now have additional assistance with evaluating field data to better implement practices that benefit the environment.

Beck’s broke ground on a new soybean processing facility near New Madrid in southeastern Missouri as part of its expansion into the Mid-South.

Just west of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway you can find Freshly Dairy — a small, family-owned farm that prides itself in its mouthwatering milk and long product shelf life.

Any change in political party leadership from the top down draws questions of how it will impact agriculture.

As Thanksgiving approaches, families across America are getting ready to gather with loved ones, share favorite dishes and reflect on the past year.

The Illinois Soybean Association commissioned a study to evaluate the economic impact of maintaining reliable bridge infrastructure to efficiently transport farmers’ products to market.

Activist-driven ballot measures were shot down by voters in Colorado and California on Nov. 5.

The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point in response to the steady decline in the once-high inflation that had angered Americans and helped drive Donald Trump’s presidential election victory.

Farmer sentiment about the ag economy increased in October ahead of the election, rising 27 points from the month before, according to the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer.

It’s a new day. No more campaign text messages. No more political ads. We open a new chapter and prepare for a new dialogue with a new Congress and new president come January.

Social Security payments are going up 2.5% starting in January, which comes to an average $50 increase for the 72 million recipients. That’s less than the increase for 2024, and the previous year, and the previous year.

The Biden administration is awarding nearly $3 billion to boost climate-friendly equipment and infrastructure at ports across the country.

The federal government is handing out $2.4 billion in railroad grants to help pay for 122 projects nationwide with more than half of the money going to smaller railroads.