One thing that unites us all is the fickleness of the weather. It seems that spring always brings either too much moisture when we need it in the field or not enough once the crops are in the ground.
During May and June, I had the pleasure of calling National Farmers members across the country to tell them…

In spite of all the challenges we have faced, our dairy program continues to grow. I can’t tell you how proud I am of each and every one of you, staff and members alike, who have worked so hard to make this growth possible. We all want to continue down this positive road. When I think of growth, I think of three important…

A Purdue University-CME Ag Economy Barometer survey recently reported producers are very concerned about their farm’s 2022 performance because of escalating production costs. Namely, input prices.
Most don’t believe now is the time to buy equipment or make big investments in their operations.

Conventional and organic grain markets have experienced unprecedented volatility in the past few months. In fact, it is near record levels for both conventional and organic producers. Fueled by weather, unprecedented activity by fund traders, expanded trade limits at the CBOT, the war in Ukraine, and delayed plantings; supply and…

Wisconsin has been a leading producer of all things dairy since the late 19th century. At that time, the state transitioned away from being part of America’s breadbasket, growing wheat and became the dairy state.
According to the USDA, Wisconsin is the second largest milk-producing state, accommodating one-fourth…

Whether you produce conventional grains, milk or beef, it’s getting tougher to make real profits today as inputs skyrocket. That’s why we offer AgProfit Strategies Workshops in 15 states across the heart of farm country. Filled with advanced information about marketing, risk management, budgeting, and…

Aaron Johnson says organic farming is all he has ever known. Thankful to be continuing the organic farming traditions that began in Madison, South Dakota, with his mom and dad, aunt and uncle, Johnson, and his wife Kristin, are raising their three children, Anika, 10, Anthony, 8, and Leah, 4, on the same land and in the same house where…

Collective grain marketing is alive and well in today’s organic grain market. And so is market price discovery in both the organic and conventional grain markets.
It’s often been said that either you’re at the bargaining table or you are on the menu, but I don’t agree completely with…

In recognition of June Dairy Month, I would like to dedicate this issue of the National Farmers Magazine to the dairy industry and especially our own dairy department and all of our producers and staff that are devoted to producing and marketing excellent quality milk to help fill the needs of the consuming public.

Another year, another gloomy dairy report from the USDA. The number of licensed dairy farms in the United States is now officially below 30,000.
Think about that. I, like many of you, can remember back to a time in which some individual states had more…

Many cattle marketing analysts have been wondering what the next Black Swan event could be. On February 24, as the first missiles launched over Ukraine, we had our answer.
I believe COVID-19 has had a long tail affecting cattle markets. But now, the Russia-Ukraine war is impacting…

Most U.S. farmers are busy getting equipment and fields ready for planting, if they haven’t started already. They have been planning since last harvest what crops to grow, which varieties to plant, and all the other details that go into the next successful harvest. Sure, plans change, but I don’t know of any farmer that waits until…

Profit margin drives the decision for Chris Halls and his parents, Mark and Michelle, to finish Holsteins on their Brooten, Minnesota operation, in the rolling hills of the west central part of the state. “We’ve always been able to make more money feeding Holsteins than colored cattle…

Re-establish non-recourse loans as a price support instead of marketing loans, and that loan rates be set at $5.00 per bushel on corn, $7.50 per bushel on wheat, and $12.00 per bushel on soybeans. Re-enact a farmer-owned grain reserve program with the fallowing provisions: The reserve…

A long-time advocate for National Farmers Organization passed away Dec. 11. Kelly Shockman, Grand Rapids, N.D., was past president of the North Dakota National Farmers Organization, and served on the organization’s national board of directors. He was active in farm politics at both…

There are many factors to consider when selecting your workers’ compensation insurance. Here are some terms – five Ds – you may have heard and the affect they have on the cost of your coverage. Dividends. Dividends are a way to share in the good performance of your operation. If you…

National Farmers Organization signed on to a letter by several farm groups urging passage of the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021, Oct. 27. The legislation would restore mandatory Country of Origin labeling for beef. The American Beef Labeling Act (S.2716) addresses…

Our Dairy Division is growing. That’s wonderful, but we can never forget that new milk needs new markets. Our sales staff relies on seven time-tested principles as they develop good homes for the milk our members produce. 1. We don’t compete with our buyers by owning or operating processing…

Even in these strange COVID-19 times, the Livestock Division staff continues to post year-over-year, double-digit volume increases. As issues of staffing, quarantines, masks and mandatory vaccinations plague the packing industry and trickle down to markets and producers, National Farmers Livestock has…

This past year has presented many and varied challenges, however, your National Farmers Grain Division has experienced a successful year with significant growth and the addition of some excellent professionals to our team. LuAnn Robinson, our longtime grain settlement specialist, retired…

National Farmers Grain Division has named two new marketing representatives. Scott Wharton is the new conventional grain representative for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
Wharton grew up on a National Farmers dairy operation in Mason, Illinois, and has considerable…

Corn is King. – We have all heard that saying over the years. In today’s world does it mean anything. Is it even relevant?
Those of us in National Farmers used to predict that cheap corn meant cheap…

Have you had a chance to see the new ad we are running in farm papers across the country? If not, you can look at it in this edition of the Magazine.
We’ve been getting some great responses to the ad. I’d like to hear from each…