Growing Harvest Ag Network

Farm bankruptcies in 2026 are on a similar pace with last year, and that is not good news. Austin Peiffer, an attorney with Ag and Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha, Iowa, says the ag sector continues to undergo financial stress. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. dairy herd has grown to its largest size in three decades, but the supply of replacement heifers is at its lowest level since 1978. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA's latest Commodity Cost and Returns report shows production expenses are expected to climb for every major crop in 2026 as global energy and fertilizer market disruptions continue to ripple through agriculture. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What were some of the headlines associated with USDA's Crop Progress Report for the period ending June 21? Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey offers the final look at 2026 sunflower planting as of June 21. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Marlen Eve, Assistant Director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The annual field days feature speakers, tours and field demonstrations for farmers, ranchers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicole Wardner with the North Dakota Beef Commission says this is a busy time of year for meat sales.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Superior Livestock in Montana kicked off its summer video sale season with the Corn Belt Classic. Superior Livestock Rep Kyle Shobe, a world champion auctioneer, said excellent animal health up and down the supply chain has continued to be a focus during their years of video sales. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long-awaited updates to the Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit, known as 45Z, have been announced by the Department of Energy. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the changes allow for calculations of tax incentives using the GREET model. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new survey suggests artificial intelligence is gaining traction on America's farms and ranches, though many producers remain cautious about the technology.  NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s your favorite item to put on the grill? Nicole Wardner with the ND Beef Commission offers some ideas that offer great taste, but don’t break the bank.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski goes over USDA meat price forecasts for this month. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. retail meat sales climbed to a record $112 billion in 2025 as consumers continued prioritizing protein and fresh meat purchases despite higher grocery prices, according to the 2026 Power of Meat report released by the Meat Institute and FMI-The Food Industry Association. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

States along the Mississippi River basin have surpassed a key federal target for reducing nitrogen flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Hypoxia Task Force. Courtney Briggs, the senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the task force is a collaborative effort. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency county committees.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action released a landmark report titled “Fueling Agriculture: Biofuels as the Catalyst.” NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The work is underway to, once again, rid the United States of the New World Screwworm. While the response plan is in place, there’s a lot of work to do. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau, said the biggest need is the mass production of more sterile flies. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says mixed temperature patterns nationwide, and near to above normal precipitation across the country, are in the weather forecast for the period of June 23 to 29. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment features corn grower Greg Amundson of Gilby. Amundson has the details on two golf tournaments and a clay shoot that are being hosted by the North Dakota Corn Growers Association. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. corn export inspections slowed last week, while soybean and wheat assessments moved higher, according to the latest USDA report. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA increased global corn production this month, but only one nation contributed to the projected increase, and a country one may not associate with growing corn. Rod Bain with USDA has the story.  USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features Rupak Karn, Precision Agriculture Specialist at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center. Karn visits with listeners about the precision ag research taking place in Carrington.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Farm Credit System remains financially strong despite growing stress in parts of the farm economy, according to information presented to the Farm Credit Administration board. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feed is one of the largest input costs in pork production, making it critical to understand where feed loss occurs and how to prevent it. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Farmers Union is working on strengthening the farm safety net. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Financial stress is mounting in Brazil's farm sector as auctions of creditor-seized farmland continue to climb. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are roughly 300,000 acres of irrigated land in North Dakota. NDSU Extension Water Engineer Laxmi Prasad offers some advice to growers regarding early summer irrigation.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins admits the farm economy is in rough shape, but pushed back at last week’s Senate Ag hearing on the extent of farm bankruptcies. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The USDA is accepting applications for its fiscal year 2027 agricultural trade promotion programs, providing producers and commodity groups with opportunities to expand export markets and boost demand for U.S. products overseas. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This NDSU Ag Minute features NDSU Extension Water Engineer Laxmi Prasad. Prasad offers some advice to growers regarding early summer irrigation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Hale, the owner of Western Livestock in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, said the industry is in a better position after the initial shock of the first confirmation. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Agriculture Secretary is among those citing ethanol as an example how value added farm and food exports play a significant role in expanding U.S. ag opportunities. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new study from Purdue University suggests the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement has helped keep food costs lower for American consumers while creating additional market opportunities for U.S. agriculture.  NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Farm Talk segment is brought to you by North Dakota Corn. Kelly Marczak from MEG Corp discusses the benefits ethanol has to offer, especially as we head into the summer driving season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey notes varying temperatures nationwide, yet most places reporting above normal precipitation for the period of June 16 - 22. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Argentina and Ecuador received recent visits from representatives of a USDA led, rapid response ag trade mission. Rod Bain with USDA has the story. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AgTech Week in underway in the Fargo area. The top ag officials from the Dakotas and Minnesota acknowledged the challenges facing agriculture at the Midwest Ag Summit - which took place Tuesday morning in the Butler Building at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Efforts to secure year-round nationwide sales of E15 ethanol fuel remain active in the U.S. Senate, offering renewed hope for corn growers seeking expanded demand for their crop. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weather is typically the main driver of commodity market activity this time of year. However, Darrin Newsom, the senior market analyst for Barchart, said that’s not necessarily the case in 2026. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Pork Board is welcoming five appointed pork producers to serve three-year terms beginning in June on the NPB Board of Directors. Source: Pork CheckoffSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA's June Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates are scheduled for release Thursday, June 11. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provides information for pet owners in areas of concern for New World Screwworm regarding protection and detection of this threat. USDA Radio NewslineSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New World Screwworm was found in a three-week-old Texas calf, but that doesn’t make it just a cattle problem. Dr. Patrick Webb, the assistant chief veterinarian with the National Pork Board, said pork producers should keep a close eye on further developments. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

USDA forecasts that per capita availability of red meat, poultry, and eggs will increase in 2026 and rise again in 2027. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Export sales for U.S. corn and soybeans declined during the week ending May 28, while wheat demand remained strong, according to the latest USDA trade data. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. ethanol production moved higher during the final week of May while inventories declined and exports posted a strong increase. That’s according to new data analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dry conditions across the Missouri River Basin are continuing to reduce runoff and raise concerns about water supplies and navigation later this year. The Army Corps of Engineers reports May runoff above Sioux City, Iowa, totaled just 1.6 million acre-feet, or 46 percent of average. NAFB News ServiceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rusty Halvorson and Sarah Heinrich share the week's top stories in agriculture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.