National Farmers is excited to announce this year’s Farm Kids Scholarship winners: Aidan Knobloch, Drew Totemeier and Ella Cooney. Knobloch Plans To Study Ag Policy and Law, Totemeier Set For Vet Career, Cooney To Pursue Ag Business

In the busy day-to-day operations of our organization, it’s easy to miss the people who keep things running. The work gets done and our mission moves forward, but those behind the scenes don’t always get noticed. Today, we want to highlight someone who makes a real difference in our Mideast region: Sharon Wurzer…

I read an internet rant in April about today’s farm prices compared to our costs. The ranter said that 46 years ago, Jimmy Carter slapped a grain embargo against our best customer at that time, the USSR. In 1980, corn was $3.49, but today it is $4.30. The ranters point was that today, nearly all our costs are 10 times higher. Yet corn…

With the retirement of long-time Dairy Director Brad Rach, President Paul Olson has named me as the Acting National Dairy Director. I am enthusiastic about my new role, because it presents an opportunity to continue to serve the organization I grew up with. I look forward to applying my experience and passion toward advancing…

The CME increased daily limits on Live Cattle and Feeder Cattle futures on June 1. For live cattle, the new initial limit will be $8.50/cwt., up $1.25. The new expanded limit for live cattle will be $12.75/cwt. For feeder cattle, the new initial limit of $10.75/cwt. is $1.50 higher. The newly expanded limit for feeder cattle will be…

Organic grain markets are currently holding steady. Demand for organic corn and soybeans has increased with the growth of organic poultry production. Supplies remain tight, and demand continues to stay strong. What the growing season will bring remains to be seen, so be prepared for a potentially bumpy ride…

“I promised my wife, Kristy, we would never have more than 250 head of cattle,” said Aaron Swanson of Russell, Minnesota. What’s a farm wife to do but simply nod in agreement, make contingency plans and remind her dear husband of that promise every now and again. Flying well past a mere 250 head, the Swansons…

Leaving Germany during a difficult time, the Zwebers came to America hoping this new land would hold opportunities. After some time spent on the plains, in 1906 Tim Zweber’s grandfather purchased land in Elko, Minnesota. The small family farm that began 120 years ago is now home to three generations of Zwebers…

At National Farmers Convene ‘26 in the Quad Cities March 17, President Paul Olson welcomed attending members and those viewing the organization’s livestream on Facebook and at nationalfarmers.com and said that he joined the organization 57 years ago during much different times in agriculture. Olson said…

Convene ’26 is now in the rearview mirror. It was great to see everyone, I only wish that I had more time to visit with attendees. I give my thanks to the entire convention team, led by Perry Garner, for all their hard work putting together our annual winter meeting. It is more work than most members realize…

Through good times and bad times in the dairy industry, we have found ways to keep our head above water and take advantage of growth opportunities that came our way. Looking back over my years as your National Dairy Director, not all things went as smoothly as I would have liked. But we came together and developed…

The Iran war has had major impacts on all markets, including the cattle market. And the strike at JBS’s Greeley, Colorado, plant is over for now, with no new agreement reached. The border is closed to Mexican feeder cattle because of the New World ScrewWorm, but the USDA has made plans for a staggered…

Farm life is a continuous cycle of beginnings and endings, with a lot of work in between. On our Kansas farm, we started planting corn a few days earlier than normal this year due to the weather forecast and changes on our operation. There is much work to be done between now and harvest. Input costs are…

In Iowa, where the price of a few acres of land could buy you a brand spanking new pickup truck, the Nieman’s fatten around 2,500 head of cattle and manage their risk with the help of National Farmers. Corn is king in Iowa. According to the USDA, 12 to 14 million acres are dedicated to corn in the state each year. However, on Nieman land, you might say cattle are king. Justin Nieman, along with…

National Farmers ongoing efforts to modify the Dairy Margin Coverage Program has gained traction in ag publications in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Tom Crosby, a Wisconsin dairy producer and National Farmers Midwest Regional Dairy Director, wrote an article about making the Dairy Margin Coverage program work for smaller dairy operations. So far, the letter has appeared in…

Challenges within the dairy industry have touched every dairy family. The future of small dairies lies in a simple truth: Meet the challenges or exit the industry. Getting down to the nitty-gritty, the economics must be sustainable. If we can count on anything within the agriculture industry, it’s that producers find creative solutions to tough problems. Family dairies have thrived for centuries in…

The Johnsons were organic before organics were cool. Their organic crops were among the first sold by National Farmers through its NForganics program. “I can’t imagine marketing my grain alone. Working with National Farmers gives me peace of mind,” Aaron Johnson of Madison, South Dakota, said. The Johnsons have been growing…

National Farmers’ annual farm business meeting is set for the third week of March in the Quad Cities. The Isle Casino Hotel will host the two-day event. It’s located off Interstate 74 in downtown Bettendorf, just minutes from Interstates 80 and 88 and about 10 minutes from Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois. Attendees can choose a deluxe king room for…

Calves and kids are started right in Minnesota. Ken and Linda Glicszinski of New Prague will tell you the “right way” means the family is all in for their county fair.
While their children — Scott, Elizabeth and Sara — were young, the two weeks at the end of July were the highlight…

In the early 1950s, the systematic dismantling of reasonable government farm programs led to a collapse in commodity prices. In 1953, Congress passed legislation that discontinued the 90 percent parity minimum price levels for agricultural commodities. The end of parity pricing caused dramatic drops in…

Life is like a roller coaster – full of unexpected twists and turns. With only a glimpse of the tracks ahead, we rarely know what’s coming. Sue Huelsman began her life on her family’s dairy farm in west-central Ohio. Surrounded by cattle and constant chores, she worked alongside her father and brothers, embracing…

National Farmers annual farm business meeting is set for the third week of March, in Quad Cities, Iowa. Hosted by the Isle Casino Hotel, the two-day event combines ag business, policy and entertainment into a great member package. Isle Casino Hotel® Bettendorf is located off the I-74 in downtown Bettendorf…

Tom Crosby wrote about the Dairy Margin Coverage program in the last issue of this magazine. He discussed how today’s alarmingly low feed prices are reverberating through the DMC program—a program many of our members rely on to get through tough times. It no longer functions as Congress…

The fed cattle market is moderating as beef demand slows heading into fall. Nearby futures prices are $8 to $11 per hundredweight below the all-time highs recorded in late August. Deferred months are mostly only $3 to $5 below their highs. Overall, Chicago Mercantile Exchange prices are starting to resemble…