Minding Ag's Business

Farmers are expected to receive $13.4 billion in ARC/PLC payments this month, but they also face fuel and oil expenses that are projected to be at least 29% higher than a year ago. Farmers who grow specialty crops also face higher costs, but they don't receive similar...

The Ag Economy Barometer showed that 54% of producers indicated that high input costs were the main factor limiting improvement in their farm's financial situation. The monthly survey was conducted in mid-September, when diesel prices started reaching record highs. The survey...

The ruling in the U.S. District Court of Eastern California could force the Labor Department to recalibrate wages for farm workers. The department changed the Adverse Effect Wage Rate last year, reducing farmer pay to migrant workers by an estimated $2.46 billion.

NASS bumped up both corn and soybean planted acreage by 1.4 million acres each in Wednesday's Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) reports. Among the reasons for higher acreage estimates is NASS relied more on acreage data from the Farm...

The new Beneficial Ownership Information final rule announced on Tuesday by the Treasury Department essentially removes the burden of reporting ownership details to the federal government for an estimated 32 million small businesses, including 230,000 farm operations.

With the current struggles facing farmers, financial literacy becomes more important. Fewer programs, however, offer tools to help farmers make better financial decisions. The Executive Program for Agricultural Producers (TEPAP), which is held at the beginning of the year in San...

Over time, the farm safety net has shifted from primarily offsetting market losses to increasingly boosting profitability for major commodity crops since 2007, according to economists at Ohio State University and the University of Illinois. That also has spilled over to supporting...

According to the monthly Purdue-CME index, farmer sentiment regarding current conditions dropped by 5 points in June to 113 points, the lowest level since December 2024. Farmers' view about the future also fell by 7 points to 118 points.

Strong friendships provide crucial emotional support, accountability and shared wisdom that can help senior generations navigate difficult leadership transitions.

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.

DTN's Senior Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger enjoys preparing prime rib for Christmas and she makes arguments for the emotional attachment and practical benefits of doing so.

Following a frustrating past year for marketing of 2024 and 2025 crops, time is quickly approaching to begin making plans for 2026-27, as well.

Unlike the 1980s when farmers could take off-farm jobs to survive tough times, today's $66K average salary won't even cover loan interest.

Success requires continuous improvement, and there's no better program than TEPAP. Applications for the week-long business bootcamp are due Oct. 31.

While farmers can't control weather, pests or markets, they can manage risk through equipment efficiency, crop protection, marketing strategies, and insurance options -- including innovative approaches like microcaptive insurance companies.

While more farmers are leaning on bank financing for 2025, others are finding it tough to stay in business. Farm banks are well-situated to support increased loan demand as capital levels and profitability grew in 2024.

Join Oklahoma State University Livestock Marketing Specialist Derrell Peel and DTN experts for an in-depth examination of cattle market dynamics, as well as what you can expect from weather and prices for the rest of the year.

Powerful winds whipped up planting season dust across the country during the weekend, prompting a dust storm warning in Chicago, which has not seen one of such magnitude since 1934.

Global tensions and trade wars rise as geopolitics, markets, and environmental factors create uncertainty for farmers. Developing value-added products and new markets may offer solutions.

During low-margin years, farmers should consider carefully four main areas to maintain a strong financial position.