FarmWeek’s Tammie Sloup recently traveled to Henry County to learn how Keith and Heather Poppy’s ag and love roots run deep. Sloup said: “When approached for this story, Keith and Heather wondered why their story was worth telling in FarmWeek. While Farm Bureau plays an integral role in their relationship, it’s how they’ve tackled life’s ups and downs together that makes their story so special.”     Read more

Following a sharp increase to close out 2022, the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer increased by 4 points to a reading of 130 in January. “Although producers were a bit more optimistic about the future this month, they again reported expectations for tighter margins in 2023 than in 2022,” said James Mintert, the barometer’s principal investigator and director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture.   Read more

Even though fertilizer prices have improved, they are still remarkably high compared to historic averages. And there’s plenty of international questions that could cause nervousness about price outlooks, both for this year and the years ahead. RFD’s DeLoss Jahnke and StoneX Fertilizer Director Josh Linville discuss the market. Read more

Farmers are feeling “overwhelmed with the uncertainty” of attempting to comply with the Biden administration’s final rule defining waters of the United States, testified Missouri Farm Bureau President Garrett Hawkins. He shared concerns of government’s overreach when it comes to private property rights. Read more from the House hearing, legislators’ plans to nullify the rule.   Read more

 While South America could still have a record soybean crop, corn production may be lower, according to Michael Cordonnier, analyst with Corn & Soybean Advisor in Hinsdale. Cordonnier believes U.S. farmers may respond by planting more corn this season. He discussed USDA’s latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report with FarmWeek’s Daniel Grant.   Read more

April 4 is right around the corner. Are you up-to-date on important municipal election deadlines? FarmWeek’s Kay Shipman caught up with Illinois Farm Bureau’s Ashley Cravens to discuss voter eligibility, registration and more.   Read more