Category: Ag News
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FUEL COST SPIKE ADDS PRESSURE AS PLANTING SEASON BEGINS
DES MOINES, Iowa — Rising diesel prices are adding another layer of strain for farmers preparing for spring fieldwork, increasing operating costs at a time when margins are already tight. Fuel is a major expense across nearly every phase of production, from tillage and planting to hauling grain and livestock. Recent price increases are forcing…
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JBS PLANT DISRUPTIONS RAISE CONCERNS FOR CATTLE MARKETS
GREELEY, Colo. — Labor disruptions tied to a developing strike involving workers at facilities connected to JBS USA are creating uncertainty across segments of the U.S. cattle industry, with potential ripple effects from feedlots to retail beef prices. While not all plants are affected, any slowdown in processing capacity can quickly back up cattle ready…
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FERTILIZER STICKER SHOCK FORCES TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD OF 2026 PLANTING
COLUMBIA, Mo. — A sharp rise in fertilizer prices is forcing farmers across the Midwest to rethink nutrient strategies heading into the 2026 growing season. Prices for key inputs like phosphorus and potassium have climbed significantly from levels seen just a few years ago, creating new pressure on already tight margins. Agronomists say growers may…
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MISSOURI WEEKLY MARKET UPDATE
Missouri Markets Push Higher as Cattle Lead the Charge Jason Mathis 3/23/2026 Missouri livestock markets came alive this past week, and if you spent any time around a sale barn, you could feel it. Buyers showed up ready to go to work, and they had to pay to get cattle bought. Feeder cattle led the…
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Wildfires Ravage Plains, Relief Efforts Mobilize for Producers
Wildfires across Nebraska and Oklahoma are continuing to impact rural communities, with multiple large fires burning across pastureland, timber and agricultural operations, prompting evacuations and widespread damage. In Nebraska, several major fires have combined to create one of the most significant wildfire events in state history. The Cottonwood Fire in central Nebraska has burned more…
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Cattle on Feed Report Signals Mixed Outlook for Supply and Prices
The latest Cattle on Feed report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering mixed signals for the cattle market, as tighter overall inventories are being offset by larger placements and slower marketings. USDA reported 11.55 million head of cattle and calves on feed as of March 1, essentially steady with a year ago but…