New Study Suggests Rural-Urban Mortality Gap Comes Down to Stress, Rural Infrastructure
URBANA, Ill. — Back in the late 1990s, a distressing trend took hold for rural America. At that time, rural and urban mortality rates started to diverge, with rural populations experiencing 9% higher mortality in working-age adults. Unfortunately, the
Heat Forecast Fuels Weather Market
Weather remains the dominant force in the grain markets as forecast models continue to come into better alignment, calling for hotter temperatures during corn’s critical pollination window. With the crop entering one of its most important stages
Grain Markets Quieter on Tuesday
The grain markets are quieter on Tuesday as rumors continue to swirl on Chinese grain purchases. Arlan Suderman, Chief Commodities Economist at StoneX, joins us to discuss the trade action across grains and livestock today. ***Always remember
USDA Accepts 2.2 Million Acres Through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment to Benefit Natural Resources, Ag Operations
(Washington, D.C., July 7, 2026) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting 2.2 million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive
High Input-Cost Concerns Continue to Weigh on Farmer Sentiment
Farmer sentiment dropped again in June as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer (AEB) Index declined from 119 points in May to 113 points in June. The Index of Current Conditions fell by 5 points, while the Index of
NCGA Leader Calls Out Brazil on Trading Practices
Matt Frostic, a Michigan farmer and leader representing the National Corn Growers Association, told the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative this week that the organization supports the proposed 25% tariffs that would include Brazilian ethanol imports and
Proactive Management Helps Keep SCN Populations Low
WAUKESHA, Wis., July 7, 2026 — Skip the sunscreen, get burned. Skip soybean cyst nematode (SCN) control, lose yield. It’s harder to reduce high SCN population densities than to keep low populations low. That’s why, in July
Farm Labor Bill Answers Agriculture’s Call for Reform
Agriculture’s Labor Challenges 2026 is a year of important milestones for our country. Nearly all Americans will leave Fourth of July weekend with fresh memories of the America 250 celebrations. Many fewer will recognize that it has
Little Surprise in Latest USDA Crop Progress Report
Crop conditions yesterday afternoon were mostly as expected. Corn Silking: 16%; vs 9% last week; 17% last year Corn Dough: 3%; vs NA last week; 3% last year Corn Condition: 67% g/e; vs 67% last week; 74%
Beef Grazing Initiative Aims to Boost Producer Profits and Resilience
A new $42 million initiative from the American Farmland Trust’s Beef Grazing Network aims to help 700 beef producers improve profitability through better grazing practices, healthier soils and stronger marketing opportunities. Backed by $30 million from USDA’s