Russ Quinn

DTN Staff Reporter
Russ Quinn is a DTN editor and reporter. He was born and raised in east central Nebraska on a cow-calf and row-crop farm near Elkhorn, which he still operates with his dad.

Russ attended Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and graduated with an associate's degree in agribusiness and farm management in 1994. He then attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences in 1996.

After graduating, he began working for DTN in May of 1997 in the agriculture telesales department. In May of 1998 he was promoted to his current position in the DTN ag newsroom. Over the years, Russ has had many different editing and reporting duties and currently writes original articles including the growing-season series "View From the Cab" and the weekly column "Russ' Vintage Iron."

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  • The average retail price of UAN28, at $381 per ton, was 6% higher than the previous month during the last full week of April 2025, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. The price of UAN28 is now 5% higher than it was a year ago. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Average retail prices for all eight major fertilizers were more expensive compared to last month. Two fertilizers (UAN28 and UAN32) had a substantial price increase looking back to last month...

  • The average retail price of UAN32, at $448 per ton, was 9% higher than the previous month during the last full week of April 2025, according to retailers surveyed by DTN. The price of UAN32 is now 7% higher than it was a year ago. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    All eight of the major fertilizers were more expensive than last month during the last full week of April 2025. Two fertilizers, UAN28 and UAN32, had a substantial price increase from last month. DTN designates a significant move as...

  • The average price of potash was $467/ton, which is 5% more expensive compared to the prior month. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    All eight of the major fertilizers were more expensive compared to last month. Three fertilizers (UAN32, UAN28 and potash) had a sizeable price increase looking back to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5...

  • Alfalfa weevil larvae can inflict much damage to alfalfa plants, lowering both yield and crop quality. (Photo courtesy of Purdue University)

    Watch for Alfalfa Weevils as Weather Warms

    As warmer temperatures return to the Midwest, so do alfalfa weevils. The pests feast on alfalfa plants in the early spring and, if not treated, tonnage and quality can be reduced significantly. There are several insecticide...

  • The average retail price of UAN32 was $423 per ton during the first week of April 2025, up $26 per ton, or 6%, from $397 during the first week of March. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    All eight of the major fertilizers were more expensive again compared to last month during the first week of April 2025. One fertilizer, UAN32, had a sizeable price increase, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

  • It is the beginning of spring when tractors return to the field to spread manure. (DTN file photo by Russ Quinn)

    Russ' Vintage Iron

    This month on Russ' Vintage Iron, we look back at some vintage manure spreaders. New Idea, International, Hampton and Kelly Ryan are some of the names of the past which helped farmers turn...

  • The average retail price of UAN32 was $412 per ton during the third week of March 2025, up $18 per ton, or 5%, from $394 a month ago, according to data collected by DTN. UAN32 is now 2% more expensive than it was a year ago. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Average retail prices for all eight of the major fertilizers were higher than last month during the third week of March 2025. UAN32 saw a sizeable price increase, which DTN designates as anything 5% or more.

  • The average retail price of potash was $447 per ton during the second week of March 2025, up from $442 a month ago. However, the average price of potash is still 12% lower than it was a year ago. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Average retail prices for all eight of the major fertilizers were up from last month during the second week of March 2025. But for the first time in seven weeks, no fertilizer saw a sizeable price change, which DTN designates as...

  • A new UC Davis study shows a feed methane emission product reduces methane in cattle production significantly. (DTN file photo)

    Study Shows Feed Product Reduces Methane

    A new study from UC Davis found feed ingredient, Rumin8, designed to reduce methane emissions in cattle production, decreases methane in cattle by 95.2%. In addition, the product has no impact on animal production or rumen...

  • Fertilizer prices continue to rise compared to a month ago. UAN28 is running 7% higher with an average price of $354/ton. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    All eight of the major fertilizers were more expensive looking back a month. Only one fertilizer, UAN28, had a sizeable increase in prices compared to last month. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

  • Among the non-lethal methods for controlling predators is the use of guardian animals. (DTN file photo)

    Predators Pose a Risk to Livestock

    Predators prey on livestock, causing millions of dollars in losses annually. Coyotes, dogs and even migrating birds can all be predators, especially to young livestock. There are several non-lethal control methods to keep livestock...

  • UAN28 was 8% higher compared to last month with an average price of $350/ton. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    For the first time in this recent move higher, all eight of the major fertilizers were more expensive looking back a month. Two fertilizers (urea and UAN28) were considerably higher. DTN...

  • Cow-calf producers need to watch for, and treat if needed, their newborn calves with hypothermia. (DTN file photo)

    Manage Hypothermia in Newborn Calves

    A strong winter storm is moving through parts of the country this week, bringing rain, snow and even blizzard conditions to some areas. Newborn calves in this weather could be susceptible to hypothermia. Here are some practices...

  • Is this a Hoyt Clagwell tractor or a Fordson Model F tractor? (Photo courtesy of the Living History Farms of Urbandale, Iowa)

    Russ' Vintage Iron

    After my column last month about strange named, little-known tractor manufacturers, I did receive an interesting email about a tractor from a famous 1960s TV sitcom. Was Hoyt Clagwell a real tractor manufacturer? Read on for the...

  • Producers can use a little math and this table to estimate the weight of round bales if it's not possible to weigh the bales. (Chart courtesy of University of Missouri Extension)

    Producers Should Know Weight of Bales

    Not knowing how much a bale weighs could cost a buyer both money and tons of hay. If it's not possible to weigh the bales, there is a way to estimate how much a bale weighs, according to one forage extension specialist.

  • Urea continues to lead price hikes in the eight major fertilizers, up 10% from last month. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Retail fertilizer prices for the third week of February 2025 continue to be mostly higher. Seven of the eight major fertilizers were more expensive looking back a month, while one was slightly lower. Three fertilizers (urea, UAN32...

  • Urea prices rose again, reaching 9% higher than last month. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Retail fertilizer prices for the second week of February 2025 were mostly higher. Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher looking back a month, while one was slightly lower and one unchanged. Three fertilizers (urea, UAN32...

  • Locking gates and farm buildings can go a long way toward preventing rural theft. (DTN/Progressive Farmer photo by Rob Lagerstrom)

    Improve Your Farm Security

    Among the most common rural crime is theft. Farmers can have machinery, vehicles, tools, fuel and even livestock stolen from their farms and fields. Farm Bureau Financial Services offers producers eight ways to improve their farm...

  • Locking gates and farm buildings can go a long way toward preventing rural theft. (DTN/Progressive Farmer photo by Rob Lagerstrom)

    Eight Ways to Improve Farm Security

    Among the most common rural crime is theft. Farmers can have machinery, vehicles, tools, fuel and even livestock stolen from their farms and fields. Farm Bureau Financial Services offers producers eight ways to improve their farm...

  • The average retail price of urea during the first week of February was $525 per ton, 7% higher than a month ago when it was $490 per ton. (DTN chart)

    DTN Retail Fertilizer Trends

    Average retail prices for six of the eight major fertilizers were up from last month during the first week of February 2025, with the price of two fertilizers -- urea and UAN32 -- up significantly. Prices for the remaining two...