Livestock has been a staple on the J&A Frieler Farm, LLC in Melrose, Minnesota, since the start. This land, which evolved into a small farm with a diverse mix of crops and livestock, has supported the Frieler family for over 100 years. The towns surrounding the farm and the agriculture industry itself have weathered many changes…

March 19, eight members of the national board retired at Convene ’25. President Paul Olson thanked them for their commitment to the organization and their exemplary service to America’s farmers and ranchers. National Farmers began a board reorganization process more than 24 months ago that was approved by…

At National Farmers annual winter meeting March 18, President Paul Olson thanked attendees traveling to Pewaukee, Wisconsin, and he welcomed those watching via livestream on the organization’s website. National Farmers board of directors voted two years ago to livestream the event to members who can’t get away from…

Greetings from the Upper Midwest. Spring is definitely starting to make an appearance with several days in the 60s & 70s, along with some badly needed moisture. It’s the second year in a row for us with very little snow to help replenish our moisture deficit. It was great to see many of you at our national convention. We had some…

Thanks to all of you who participated in this year’s Dairy Workshop at national convention. I was once again reminded of why I love working for National Farmers Organization—you, our wonderful farmers and staff. There was a lot of good news to report. We continue to grow our program in both membership and…

Another national convention in the books. I especially want to thank the staff and producers who attended. I know it’s not easy getting away from all the farm work. I also congratulate the Top 5 Collection Points on their awards. There are between eight and ten who are in the running each year, which says our livestock staff…

Looming large over grain markets is the impact of tariffs imposed by the United States and the reaction of other countries to them. The immediate result for agriculture was a significant reduction in prices received for our production. The long-term effects are still to be realized. Farmers have once again borne the burden of…

Having children in 4-H has undoubtedly led many families down paths they never imagined. One Illinois family’s 4-H journey lit their passion for dairy cattle. In 1984, Jim and Wanda Bohnert purchased a couple of older registered Jersey cows from the local sale barn for their boys…

March is the month, Pewaukee, Wisconsin — just outside of Milwaukee ­— is the place. It‘s National Farmers annual winter farm business and ag marketing meeting, set for March 18-19 at the Ingleside Hotel. And, best of all, members register free this year! Book author Brian Reisinger…

When will our nation’s farmers and ranchers stand up and be heard — or is it too late? Many of us are trying to make sense of what’s going to develop with the expired Farm Bill. As of early December, it looks more like another one-year extension versus getting a new bill signed. Meanwhile…

Your holiday mail had something unusual this year–a letter from the Federal Milk Marketing Order Administrator. Don’t throw it away! It’s your ballot for voting on changes to the FMMO system. As you probably know, USDA has held hearings, read comments, and involved…

National Farmers has encouraged price risk management as long as I have been in the livestock department. In mid December, the Five Area Weighted Average was almost $191.00 and the December ‘24 futures closed at about $190.00, only a -$1.00 basis compared to…

The political football known as the Farm Bill has not been acted upon by Congress, and that’s severely impacting farmers around the country. This inaction significantly affects policy, markets, risk management, and the many other factors necessary for farmers and ranchers to…

Like many early small communities, Good Thunder, Minnesota, just outside Mankato, has its roots in agriculture. Named for a local Dakota chief, this town on the Maple River was a bustling center of commerce in the late 1880s. With an influx of settlers, the town boasted multiple churches, grain elevators, flour mills and hardware millinery stores. Other businesses took root in the growing town including…

In 1975, a young farmer from Watertown, Minnesota began his farming career. Born and raised on a dairy farm, his family has been a part of National Farmers since the early 1960s. Through his nearly 50 years of membership, he has produced dairy, grain and livestock commodities, and marketed them through the organization. He is now solely focused on growing grain. When National Farmers began…