Corn Planting Delayed, Farm Bill Making Moves 

By Kent Thiesse

The initiation of full-scale corn planting has been delayed across most of the upper Midwest due to continued wet weather and cold soil conditions. A limited amount of corn was planted from the period of ...

Planting Progress Varies 

By Kent Thiesse

There has been some limited tillage and corn planting completed in some areas of southern Minnesota from April 23 to April 25, prior to the heavy rains, wet snow and cold temperatures late last week...

Spring Planting 

By Kent Thiesse

Like the start of a big race, or the beginning of a championship game, farmers in Minnesota and Iowa are anxiously awaiting the initiation of full-scale fieldwork...

Custom Farming Agreements 

By Kent Thiesse

An alternative to leasing farmland is a custom farming agreement. In a typical custom farming agreement, the custom operator agrees to perform all the machine operations on the owner’s land in exchange for a set fee or rate...

Custom Rates Increasing 

By Kent Thiesse

As would be expected with increasing fuel costs, average 2008 custom rates for farm work have also risen, compared to 2007 and 2006 custom rates...

March 31 Crop Report 

By Kent Thiesse

On March 31, 2008, USDA released its Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports. This was one of the most anticipated USDA reports ever, due to the strong grain prices in recent months...

Grain Markets Tumble 

By Kent Thiesse

Grain marketing in this highly volatile marketing environment continues to be a big challenge for farm operators. Many grain producers are coming off a very profitable year in 2007; however...

National Ag Week 

By Kent Thiesse

National Ag Week is being celebrated March 16-22 all across the U.S., and Thursday, March 20, has been designated National Ag Day. It is a good time to reflect on all...

Crop Insurance Deadline 

By Kent Thiesse

Monday, March 17 is the deadline to purchase crop insurance for the 2008 crop year. Producers need to analyze how crop insurance fits into their risk management and grain marketing strategies for the coming year...

Ethanol Industry Under Fire 

By Kent Thiesse

The ethanol industry has been taking some pretty severe hits lately from the popular news media, some university studies, environmental organizations, food processors, livestock organizations and some political leaders...