Blogs

  • Production Blog

    Farming as father and son can be powerful if you have open communications and honest respect, according to Ramey (left) and Quint Pottinger. (Photo by Leah Pottinger)
    Posted by Pamela Smith , Crops Technology Editor

    DTN/Progressive Farmer writers were asked to think back on their year and choose a favorite story they wrote. DTN Senior Crops Editor Pamela Smith selected a View From the Cab segment that talked about farming with Dad.

  • Canada Markets

    It is increasingly clear that the bounce in Treasury prices and break in interest rates (being inversely related) ahead of the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday was merely a correction with the downtrend resuming. Inflation is emerging as the most likely culprit. (DTN ProphetX chart)
    Posted by Mitch Miller , DTN Contributing Canadian Grains Analyst

    U.S. Treasury markets suggesting evidence of inflation turning higher at a time when central banks around the world are cutting interest rates could make for difficult times ahead. Nothing so far indicates a derailment or a repeat of the 1970s inflation cycle.

  • Ag Weather Forum

    The year 2024 saw five hurricanes make landfall in the continental U.S. for a record fifth straight year. Hurricane Helene in late September was the strongest and deadliest, hitting the Florida Big Bend as a Category 4 storm. (NASA Applied Sciences image)
    Posted by Bryce Anderson , Ag Meteorologist Emeritus

    Storm analysis finds climate change increased the wind speed for every hurricane in 2024.

  • An Urban's Rural View

    Part of China's plan for reacting to expected higher U.S. tariffs is trading more with some of the BRICS economies, in particular Brazil. (Public domain photo)
    Posted by Urban C Lehner , Editor Emeritus

    China is signaling how it will react to much higher tariffs in a second Trump administration. Indeed, it's already reacting.

  • Fundamentally Speaking

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

    2024 soybean yield as given in the USDA's November crop production report as a percent of the 25-year trend vs. the 10, 20 and 30-year trend growth rate for soybeans.

  • Ag Policy Blog

    A map created by Democratic congressional staff breaking down how $8.84 billion in direct payments would be split by farmers in each state. Another $1 billion or so would reimburse farmers a portion of their crop insurance premium payments as well. (Map provided by House Agriculture Committee minority staff)

    Leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture committees, along with farm-state allies, are trying to craft a plan that would provide payments to producers who are suffering from low prices. Democrats came up with nearly $10 billion in direct payments and crop insurance rebates...

  • Ethanol Blog

    Equity holders for Red Trail Energy approved the sale of their North Dakota ethanol plant to Gevo Inc. (DTN file photo)
    Posted by Todd Neeley , DTN Environmental Editor

    Equity holders for Richardton, North Dakota,-based Red Trail Energy LLC's ethanol plant approved the sale of the company to Gevo Inc., a company that plans to produce sustainable aviation fuel at the plant.

  • Sort & Cull

    Even though the Commodity Index Trader (CIT) group is the most boring and least followed out there, one look at their relationship to corn prices in this chart shows why it's necessary. (DTN ProphetX chart)
    Posted by Mitch Miller , DTN Contributing Canadian Grains Analyst

    Love them or hate them, participants other than those directly involved with a commodity use futures markets for various purposes. DTN Contributing Canadian Grains Analyst Mitch Miller believes it's better to know as much as you can about the elephants you're dancing with.

  • Market Matters Blog

    Motor Vessel Ashley Danielson departing Lock and Dam 2 on Dec. 1, officially ending the 2024 navigation season on the far Upper Mississippi River. (Photo courtesy of USACE St. Paul District)

    The last tow leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, on Dec. 1 put an end to the 2024 shipping season on the far Upper Mississippi River. In the meantime, levels on the Lower Mississippi River are falling again.

  • South America Calling

    Good weather has been in place over South America the last two weeks, but the forecast ahead could bring some issues for both Argentina and Brazil. (DTN graphic)

    It's been a tough task to accomplish, but there are some small cracks in the good weather situation for South America.

  • Minding Ag's Business

    USDA forecasts 2024 net farm income at $140.7 billion dollars, while net cash farm income is projected at $158.8 billion. (Chart courtesy of USDA)
    Posted by Katie Micik Dehlinger , Farm Business Editor

    The Economic Research Service's third reading of net farm incomes is lower than 2023, but the decline is softer than initially forecast due to better-than-expected production expenses.

  • Technically Speaking

    This is the November 2025 soybeans daily chart, showing the contract finally breaking down below the support area (dotted blue line). (DTN ProphetX chart)
    Posted by Dana Mantini , Senior Market Analyst

    After having support since mid-August at the $10.12 to $10.15 area, new-crop November 2025 soybean futures last week broke down slightly below that support area and may just have begun another leg lower. Although there is plenty of growing weather yet to endure in South...

  • Editors' Notebook

    At the All American Quarter Horse Congress, more than 200 Congress champions are crowned each year. Trophies represent the champion in each class, while medals are awarded to reserve champion, top 15 and finalists. (DTN photo by EllaMae Reiff)
    Posted by EllaMae Reiff , DTN Content Editor

    A weekend at the All American Quarter Horse Congress filled with exciting classes, shopping, delicious food and a strong sense of community that makes the event truly special.

  • MachineryLink

    The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a watch for a minor-level geomagnetic storm this weekend (DTN image courtesy of the Space Weather Prediction Center)

    The Space Weather Prediction Center has issued a minor-level geomagnetic storm watch for this weekend. A storm of this intensity will have little to no impact on farming guidance systems.