For the first time in its history, a National Farmers in-person convention has been cancelled, and replaced with a virtual meeting. “The uncertainties of COVID-19 have impacted the world, and our national board members recognize they must put the health and safety of our members at the forefront. Therefore, they voted unanimously…

Remember the last time you took your kid on a trip and they asked: Are we there yet? That’s the question cattle producers have been asking about markets, and the answer is: Not quite, but we’re getting closer every day.

Prices are at three year highs for soybeans and wheat, levels not seen since 2014-15. Cash values at the U.S. Gulf are near $12 per bu. for soybeans, $5.40 per bu. for corn, and $7.40 per bu. for wheat. Exporters are also scrambling.

I hope everyone has a chance to look at our new National Farmers Dairy Policy Adviser site (www.nfdpa.com). You’ll find all you need there to understand and explain our program to restore opportunities and prosperity for America’s smaller dairy farms.

While on our Sept. 23 conference call with the Board of Directors, a decision was made not to have an in-person national convention in February next year, because of COVID-19. This was not an easy decision, but after much discussion, everyone felt the safety of our members and staff had to be our top priority.

Last fall, the American Farm Bureau Federation issued their proposals for changing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. I am sure many people wondered why they included the elimination of bloc voting as one of their proposals. I want to commend the AFBF for their forethought to realize this may very well be…

The site is dedicated to delivering the latest information about America’s dairy industry structure, as well as commentary on issues impacting dairy farmers. An example of documents about the site include: National Farmers’ Dairy Farm Structure Management Plan,

In eastern Iowa, National Farmers cattle marketing attracts ag producers to its programs like a magnet grabs nails. Just a few years ago, the then-new Farley Livestock Marketing Center staff looked out onto a line of semis and pickups pulling cattle trailers. Cattle producers from the surrounding area wanted in on the risk management action.

In organic markets, we have seen the 2019 poor-quality crops lead to poor 2020 prices, but the floor may be here. Some buyers have told me they were covered with their grain needs this year, only to call a month later needing grain immediately. This is somewhat understandable, because 2019 poor test weight corn was consumed…

The Isle Hotel & Casino in the Quad Cities, Iowa, is scheduled for National Farmers winter meeting next February. “COVID-19 has thrown a monkey wrench into our meeting plans, because of the unknowns,” said National Farmers Director of Communications Perry Garner.

National Farmers Organization dairy leaders say it’s time for the elimination of bloc voting by co-ops, when it comes to Federal Milk Marketing Order hearings. Currently, only dairy farmers who are independent and not members of…

The pandemic continues to harshly impact people and businesses around the globe, and National Farmers staff have stepped up to help dairy farmers and those less fortunate. Dairy Operations Director Dave Kaseno coordinated…

Farmers help farmers. That’s the standard, the ag ethic, in fact. Because of that, in January, when National Farmers leaders saw an opportunity to help Pacific Northwest Organic Valley dairy farmers, they proposed handling their milk.

Steve Armour, a former grain marketing staff member who left National Farmers in 2010, has been named the independent contract marketer for members in the organization’s North Grain Region. Members in Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota…

While we all continue to live in a world of uncertainty and overabundance of bad news, I would like to switch gears and talk about some of the positive things that enhance the goals of National Farmers Organization.

When I began working for National Farmers in 1972, we were uniting most local bargaining groups into a nationally coordinated structure. Going national gave us the clout we needed to impact dairy price levels positively for…

The year’s corn and soybean crop sizes are substantial and developed faster than normal. Throughout the growing season, crop conditions have seemed to improve. The saying rain makes grain is true, and there has been plenty of…

I read an article at the end of July that said cattle feeding margins were slowly improving to a loss as of July 24 of $141. Further, it said packer profits were estimated at $302. That’s a $443 swing. And not in the cattleman’s favor.

Corn and soybeans carpet the rolling cropland of the Dan and Marlene Rempe farm through the summer, a treat to an observer viewing the panorama. The Corning, Kansas, area farm belonged first to Dan’s grandfather,

(Ames, Iowa) August 10, 2020 — National Farmers Organization dairy leaders say it’s time for the elimination of bloc voting by co-ops, when it comes to Federal Milk Marketing Order hearings. Currently, only dairy farmers who are independent and not members of cooperatives may cast individual ballots.

On South-Mont Farms, nestled into the hills of eastern Pennsylvania, the Shedden family farmers tend to a 375-head milking herd that’s two-thirds Holstein cows and one-third Jersey. A decision based on the farm’s facility, when the milk check arrives, the blend of dairy breeds also rewards the Sheddens in component premiums and healthy production level payoffs. Scott Shedden, sons Mark and Bryan, and Mark’s sons, Lance and Eric farm together.

Normalcy. When do we expect that again in cattle markets? After COVID-19, we may never look at consumer demand and uncertainty the same way again.But, if you really think about it, we still know the same things we always know. The cattle on feed numbers have been calculated and we have a tremendous back log, nearly one million head.

USDA has noted that crop year 2020’s planting progress was swift, as corn acres were 97 percent planted by June 8. Neutral weather did not create dramatic yield reduction prospects, and prices appear to have a difficult climb past previous price highs from the past six months.

The changes we have seen since we gathered in Minneapolis for our national convention have been staggering. However, one thing has not changed, our commitment to do what they say can’t be done. Momentum is building for everything we are doing, to make a better life for family dairy farmers.