Russ Quinn

Feed yards and background operations should have a plan in place to handle the negative effects of respiratory diseases. A well-rounded strategy should incorporate good nutrition, proper animal husbandry practices and the...

Most retail fertilizer prices are down from last month, with one big exception: Anhydrous is 21% higher than last month with an average retail price of $763 per ton. Only three fertilizers -- potash, 10-34-0, DAP -- had significant...

With drought gripping parts of the Midwest the last couple of growing seasons, hay production fell and hay prices rose. University of Missouri Extension specialists advise livestock producers to reduce their feeding losses when...

Most fertilizer prices are lower compared to last month, with one exception: The average retail price of anhydrous is 11% higher than it was last month with an average price of $696 per ton. Only three fertilizers (potash, 10-34-0...

For the September Russ' Vintage Iron column, the original plan was to find another subject after two months of delving into Thieman tractors. But another interesting email from a reader altered this plan, and it is more about the...

Most fertilizers are lower in price compared to last month, except for anhydrous, which is 9% higher compared to last month with an average price of $693 per ton. Only two fertilizers (potash and 10-34-0) had significant price...

As harvest begins across the Corn Belt, the propane outlook looks to be promising for farmers. Thanks to increasing natural gas production, propane stocks are roughly 23% higher than a year ago. Combine this will a relatively...

Once again, most fertilizer prices continued to move lower compared to last month. For the first time in several months, one fertilizer moved higher compared to last month. Anhydrous was 7% more expensive compared to last month...

Five of the eight major fertilizers saw large moves lower compared to a month earlier. Leading the way down were anhydrous and UAN32, which were 10% less expensive compared to last month. Anhydrous had an average price of...

Warm-season annual forages can provide additional high-quality grazing possibilities, as well as quick regrowth. However, grazing warm-season annual forages require producers to manage differently than when grazing on other types...

Prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were down significantly from last month in the second full week of August 2023. Leading the way down was UAN32, which was 13% less expensive compared to last month and had an average...

With temperatures and humidity levels set to soar this week, livestock producers should implement different hot weather management practices to ensure animals are OK. High temperatures and humidity are a bad combination for both...

Drought changes how livestock producers manage their operations and make a relationship with the local veterinarian especially valuable, since different decisions must be thought through.

The Thieman tractor was the subject of last month's Russ' Vintage Iron column. This month we have a couple of emails detailing more about the Thieman tractors, including one from a descendant of the founders of Thieman Harvester...

Like last week, all eight of the major fertilizer prices saw large moves lower compared to a month ago. Leading the way lower were anhydrous and UAN32, which were both 14% less expensive compared to last month. Anhydrous had an...

As farmers work long days, they may not get enough sleep. This can lead to fatigue, which can become dangerous, especially when they work with machinery and livestock. Here's how farmers can improve their situation.

All eight of the major fertilizer prices saw large moves lower compared to a month ago. Leading the way was anhydrous, which was 15% less expensive compared to last month. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $638/ton.

Prices for all eight of the major fertilizers are lower compared to last month for the second consecutive week. Urea dropped below the $600-per-ton level for the first time since the third week of September 2021.

Water sources such as lakes, ponds and streams are subject to the formation of harmful algal blooms (HAB). HABs are usually caused by the rapid growth of blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria. NCRS has five steps livestock...

Forage production levels appear to be all over the board this growing season in the region where the Western Corn Belt and the High Plains meet. While some western areas of the region have seen adequate moisture, continuing...

Average retail prices for all eight of the major fertilizers were lower in the second week of July 2023 compared to last month. However, the only fertilizer considerably less expensive was anhydrous, which was down 6% from a month...

A simple conversation with a neighbor turns into a Vintage Iron column idea. A long-defunct tractor manufacturer built an inexpensive tractor during the Great Depression until World War II. Thieman tractors came in a kit and...

For the second week in a row, prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to a month ago. But unlike recent weeks, no fertilizer price made a significant move higher or lower, which DTN designates as anything...

Prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to a month ago, though only one was down significantly. Anhydrous was 5% less expensive than last month with an average price of $753 per ton.

Grazing cattle have access to natural water sources on pasture or rangeland and drought can have a negative impact on water quality, raising the risk of poisoning from toxins as such nitrates, salts and blue-green algae...