Farmers “are feeling the squeeze from weakened crop prices, which has reduced their expectations for strong financial performance in the coming year,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture. Learn more about the latest Ag Economy Barometer. Read more

Rain gauges across Illinois remain mostly empty. But could that change this weekend? DTN’s ag meteorologist has the latest forecast details. Read more

Rainfall has been “extremely spotty” and “extremely frustrating” for Ryan Frieders, FarmWeek CropWatcher from DeKalb County. On his cornfields, he’s noticed rolling of leaves — a sight he doesn’t usually see this early in the growing season. Listen

If U.S. farmers grow large crops as projected by USDA, it likely will cost more to store them. A recent report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange projects the cost of storing grain, otherwise known as the cost of carry, could soar to record highs. The forecast is due to rising interest rates, increasing costs for labor, insurance, transportation and energy, along with lower but still relatively strong commodity prices. Read more

Rural health advocates have long held that one-size solutions may not fit all when it comes to national health issues. The newly established Office of Rural Health will work to address those concerns. The office’s main focuses will be capacity building, cross-agency coordination, strategic engagement and partnership and rural public health leadership.   Read more

CQ Roll Call’s Ellyn Ferguson shares an update from Washington, D.C., including on ag appropriations process and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.   Listen here