Blogs

  • Ag Policy Blog

    The House Appropriations Committee considers the fiscal year 2027 Agriculture appropriations bill Wednesday. A top Democrat criticized Republicans for canceling grants under the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP). (DTN photo by Jerry Hagstrom)
    Posted by Jerry Hagstrom , DTN Political Correspondent

    The funding bill for USDA makes a small percentage of budget cuts but would cancel grants and cut loans under the Renewable Energy for America Program (REAP), a popular program that provides funding to farmers and rural businesses to improve energy efficiency and reduce...

  • Ethanol Blog

    An update to a regulation under consideration in the European Union could limit U.S. soybean exports to the EU for biofuels production. (DTN file photo by Joel Reichenberger)

    The European Commission's April 2026 proposal to phase out soybeans as a biofuel feedstock by 2030 could threaten U.S. soybean exports for biofuels production to the European Union.

  • Canada Markets

    As was seen during the substantial increase in net-long positions added by managed money funds and commodity index traders in late 2020 and early 2021 -- which helped drive corn prices $4.15/bushel higher -- the two groups are taking the current risks to global corn production seriously. Whether prices respond as they did at the turn of the decade is yet to be seen. (DTN ProphetX chart)
    Posted by Mitch Miller , DTN Contributing Canadian Grains Analyst

    Funds have been building a significant net-long position ahead of a potential corn market rally. Whether it turns out to be like the 2020 version is yet to be seen but does need to be on the radar.

  • Ag Weather Forum

    March/April 2026 has been warm and dry in major Plains winter wheat areas. Temperatures have been from 6-12 degrees Fahrenheit above normal, with precipitation mostly below 75% or more below normal. (High Plains Regional Climate Center graphics)
    Posted by Bryce Anderson , Ag Meteorologist Emeritus

    La Nina's late impact in the Great Plains resembles 2022 and 2023.

  • Sort & Cull

    If the board continues to rally and beef demand improves, there's hope the fed cash cattle market could also trade higher. (DTN ProphetX chart)

    With the board trading sharply higher and the year's strongest beef demand month just days away, will fed cash cattle prices trade higher this week?

  • Editors' Notebook

    DTN/Progressive Farmer Publisher Jackie Cairnes accepted two Jesse H. Neal Awards on behalf of the company recently in New York City, while DTN Ag Policy Editor Chris Clayton received the Journalist of the Year Award from the North American Agricultural Journalists in Washington, D.C., only a few days earlier. (Cairnes photo courtesy of Bruce Byers Photography; Clayton photo courtesy of Charles de Bourbon)
    Posted by Elaine Shein , DTN/Progressive Farmer Associate Content Manager

    While DTN/Progressive Farmer staff were busy last week planning for future editorial coverage in 2026 and beyond, they got a chance to celebrate some of their award-winning accomplishments from 2025.

  • Market Matters Blog

    DTN's weekly spot price for domestic distillers dried grains for the week ended April 23 is unchanged versus one week ago. (DTN file photo)
    Posted by Mary Kennedy , DTN Basis Analyst

    DTN's weekly average spot price for domestic distillers dried grains is steady versus one week ago.

  • An Urban's Rural View

    Steak now ranks high among the foods the government's 2026 dietary guidelines recommend. That's not where heart doctors would rank it. (Screenshot from realfood.gov)
    Posted by Urban C Lehner , Editor Emeritus

    Thoughts on who the public will believe: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who urges eating more red meat, or heart doctors, who advise eating less.

  • MachineryLink

    A University of Missouri diesel cost study shows 50% higher diesel fuel prices cut expected net returns to land by 10%. (DTN photo by Dan Miller)
    Posted by Dan Miller , Progressive Farmer Senior Editor

    In this equipment roundup, DTN/Progressive Farmer looks at high diesel costs hitting returns; March equipment sales down; reports that Cat buys Monarch technology; Fieldwork Robotics readying an autonomous picker; new equipment from KIOTI and Loftness; and Kubota offering...

  • Production Blog

    The rush of spring planting requires being alert to transport hazards as part of being prepared for the season. (DTN photo by Jason Jenkins)
    Posted

    Be safe and stay alert. Here are six things to consider this season regarding safety and farm insurance protection.

  • South America Calling

    The last month of the wet season does not look particularly wet for Brazil. (DTN graphic)
    Posted by John Baranick , DTN Meteorologist

    Yet another month of below-normal precipitation puts into question how much corn Brazil can produce with its safrinha crop.

  • Fundamentally Speaking

    Chart by Joel Karlin, DTN Contributing Analyst
    Posted by Joel Karlin , DTN Contributing Analyst

    Net fund position in corn with both futures and options vs. the price of spot corn in dollars per bushel.

  • Technically Speaking

    This is a daily chart of May soybean futures showing the bear flag pattern. (DTN ProphetX chart)
    Posted by Dana Mantini , Senior Market Analyst

    The May soybean futures chart appears to be forming a bear flag pattern that typically indicates a downward resolution. However, chart patterns are certainly not always highly reliable and there are outside market forces controlling the narrative on grain and soy lately.

  • Minding Ag's Business

    Determine your price and time action points based on your operation's cost of production and cash-flow needs. (Photo by Michael Westhoff, Getty Images)
    Posted by Katie Micik Dehlinger , Progressive Farmer Editor-in-Chief

    Commodities brokers advise farmers to develop disciplined grain marketing plans based on production costs, stick to price targets, seek professional guidance and utilize futures and options for effective risk management.

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