If we want this way of life to be here for the next generation, we must be willing to speak up for it by showing up in conversations where decisions are made and making sure rural voices are heard.

USDA is forecasting a rise in U.S. consumption of beef, pork and chicken in 2026 — all staples for summertime cookouts, says Jim Henry.

Japanese automaker Nissan said it reduced losses for the fiscal year through March, but remained in the red, battered by U.S. tariffs, inflation and intensifying competition.

Americans paid more for their groceries last month, but high gasoline prices resulting from the Iran war were only one of the reasons why.

Red meat consumption in Argentina — historically one of the world’s biggest consumers of beef — has fallen to its lowest level in two decades amid economic austerity measures imposed by libertarian President Javier Milei.

The Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers’ comprehensive annual farmland values report also includes various tidbits of interest.

Two weeks after the U.S. House passed its “skinny” farm bill — the law’s usual lard had been cut into last July’s reconciliation bill — applause is still yet to be heard in either Washington, D.C., or rural America.

In response to The Mosaic Company’s plans to scale back domestic production, state and national soybean leaders called on the Trump administration to take action.

Farming is more than a livelihood. It’s a way of life, and sometimes, it’s a heavy load to carry.

Farming is a gamble every year when challenged by the weather and the cost of crop inputs, so there is no thought of gambling the future of the farm away at the casino.

After years of economic pressure, farm families need the stability and certainty that comes with a new, modernized farm bill.

Farmland sales in Illinois are continuing their recent pattern of being unpredictable. Low farmer profits are the main driver of this volatility, but other factors also weigh on the marketplace.

Preparing for taxes and the transition of farming operations from one generation to the next is important for farm families.

The U.S. House passed a new farm bill after the agriculture industry has operated for the past eight years under the previous legislation that included three extensions.

AgriNews is launching a Community Marketing Grant program to help local businesses stretch their advertising dollars during this especially difficult time.

With farm financial conditions deteriorating and fertilizer and fuel prices rising, farmers will continue to face losses, underscoring the need for additional support, reports Jim Henry.

For decades, farmers and ranchers have been begging antitrust officials for probes into concentrated industries like meatpacking, seed, fertilizer, machinery and grain merchandising.

Brazil’s massive dual-fuel fleet — consisting of vehicles capable of running on any combination of ethanol and gasoline — is unique in its scale.

For generations, farmers and ranchers have been the backbone of rural communities and a driving force in our nation’s economy.

With farmers capturing only a small share of the food dollar, even modest swings in commodity prices or increases in input costs can quickly strain farm finances.

For the past decade, farm profits have been highly volatile, making farm business planning difficult.

Whether you farm five acres or 5,000, you’re part of something bigger than your own farm. You’re helping support jobs, strengthen communities and power an economy that reaches every corner of this country.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s prospective planting survey indicated farmers aren’t making as large of a shift toward more soybeans and less corn acres as expected — but with a caveat.

Chad Bell is working on a variety of projects during the transition time from winter and getting ready for the spring planting season.

The latest federal farm income forecast reinforces the difficult reality for U.S. agriculture.

At a time when margins are already tight and input costs are at a record high, global conflicts that disrupt fertilizer supplies or raise fuel prices could increase production costs for U.S. farmers, reports Jim Henry.

Military action in the Middle East has disrupted critical shipments of fertilizer and oil as farmers head toward planting.

As the war in Iran ratchets up, the price of crude oil has been swinging sharply.

While the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made an important investment in strengthening the farm safety net, it did not replace the need for a new, modernized farm bill.

The farm bill moved through the House Agriculture Committee with a 34-17 bipartisan vote, encouraging ag organizations that have been worried about the bill’s uncertain future.

One of the few bright spots in the agricultural economy has been beef cattle, as smaller cattle supplies paired with strong consumer demand for beef has driven up prices for both cattle and beef, reports Jim Henry.

Farmers need stronger market returns, so income comes from selling commodities, not aid — and that means improving the farm safety net through a fully passed farm bill, strengthening trade demand, and addressing rising input costs, says Jim Henry.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing $1 billion in Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program support.

As farmers across the state face mounting economic pressures, University of Illinois Extension reminds agricultural producers, advisers and families that free help is available wherever you are.

Better health begins on your plate — the Dietary Guidelines for Americans offer a flexible, affordable and attainable framework meant to guide better choices, not dictate exact meals or drain a budget.

The president didn’t return much affection to rural voters in 2025. Farm inputs, health care and food costs continued to rise; yo-yo tariff policies sliced ag exports; and cuts to several federal farm and rural programs clipped rural communities.

The current economic environment for farmers is challenging with tighter margins and more volatility.

Farmers say they are grateful to President Donald Trump and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins for providing resources that, for many, could make the difference between staying in business to plant another crop, or shuttering a family farm.

Working with a new administration during 2025 has been fast-paced and challenging for those dealing with regulatory and legislative policies.

The long days, unpredictable weather, volatile markets and rising input costs rarely factor into conversations at the grocery store or the checkout line.

Agriculture’s economic conditions, trade and uncertainty in the ethanol market were among the topics of focus at the Illinois Corn Growers Association annual meeting.

Jim Henry expects $12 billion relief package to make an immediate impact by providing a lifeline for farmers who work to ensure a healthy, safe and abundant food supply.

Farm families need lasting certainty, and we appreciate our partners in Washington for taking this important first step by delivering a $12 billion package. But the need is far greater.

Financial stress is severe and persistent across farm country, according to a new Market Intel report from the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Biofuels, like E15, are boosting farm businesses, improving the environment and reducing costs at the pump.

American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland urged Congress and the administration to take immediate action to reduce farm production costs and prevent additional family farm closures.

President Donald Trump announced that he was scrapping U.S. tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruits and a broad swath of other commodities — a dramatic move that comes amid mounting pressure on his administration to better combat high consumer prices.

Jim Henry forecasts an unprecedented financial crisis, a perfect storm of soaring input costs and plummeting commodity prices.

Jim Henry gives thanks that the price of a classic Thanksgiving dinner has dropped for the third consecutive year, according to a Farm Bureau survey.

After carefully choosing the freshest produce at the market, people face even more choices with vegetables, fruit, meat and dairy products at home that can help prolong freshness, minimize waste and prevent foodborne illnesses.