Land in central Iowa is prime real estate, but in the 1870s when the Mathis family came to the area, opportunities and religious and political freedoms attracted immigrants, and the fertile Iowa prairie gave them ample reason to stay.

Answering an ad in a local paper brought Livestock Cattle Contract Manager Jeff Rose to National Farmers, but it’s the people that keeps him here. Cattle have played a part in Rose’s life from day one. He grew up on a northwestern Pennsylvania…

This fall, National Farmers will elect two directors for the 2027 seating year, one director for the Mideast Region and one for the Northeast Region. Those elected will serve a three-year term, which begins with their installation at the 2027 National Convention in…

Nearly 70 people attended the National Farmers All-Staff Meeting held in Ames, Iowa, July 28 and 29. Dairy, grain and livestock staff members from around the country drove or flew in for the event that covered the latest commodity department…

Auna Badke enjoys working with and representing National Farmers. “Everyone from the directors to the support staff and all the producers are great. You often hear people comment about company culture, comparing coworkers to family. But at…

More than 70 attendees the July Board and our All-Staff meeting in Ames, Iowa, July 28 and 29 and listened to commodity marketing reports about current conditions and their plans to expand this fiscal year. Employees also heard updates about…

Several recent retirements of long-time NFO field representatives now means the majority of our field staff members have been with the organization for 7 years or less. This statistic got me thinking about how changes in the industry have altered the…

Hot weather, state and country fairs, vacations and lower fat cattle money are the realities of late summer. With the Mexican border opening up in mid-August and the JBS packing plant closing August 14 , it has done a real number on fed cattle.

Corn harvest began in south-central Kansas during the first full week of August. I am talking about combining corn that is dry enough to deliver to the local ethanol plant or co-op, not high-moisture corn for a feedlot or silage. It is the earliest I ever…

“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…

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…

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…