Alongside numerous small family dairies that dotted the rural Wisconsin landscape, the Breitenmosers made the long journey from Switzerland to America wanting a better life. Hans Sr. and Margrit Breitenmoser arrived in 1968 with the hope that hard work would result in a prosperous farm and happy life…

National Farmers Organization is celebrating our 70 years birthday. From humble beginnings in Northwest Missouri and Southwest Iowa, what began as an idea driven by drought in those areas of the country along with falling farm prices-especially for cattle and hog producers, to where we are today…

Today, there is a lot of uncertainty in markets and the long-term effects of on-again, off-again tariffs and resulting trade disputes. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some unpleasant surprises for National Farmers members as things play out. I’m especially worried about Dairy Margin Coverage, or DMC payments. Let me explain…

February was the last time I gave my advice in this column. In February, I wrote about record high prices, strong demand and uncertainty that tariffs might bring. In June, cash prices were on fire for both feeders and fats. The biggest issue producers are talking about to me now is having locked in prices at…

The agricultural industry and particularly grain producers, are experiencing significant marketing challenges. Traditionally, marketing opportunities for fall crops are more attractive in the spring and early summer due to planting issues, weather, and crop conditions in other parts of the world. Unfortunately, this…

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…

Two longtime serving staff members in National Farmers Organization have passed away. Tim Ennis, 77, of Waukee, Iowa, passed away September 10. Doris McElwain, 88, of Corning Iowa died August 18. Ennis’s economics degree and farm background qualified him to join his National Farmers in the 70s. He worked for the organization for nearly 40 years. Tim grew up on a dairy farm near…

Greetings from the upper Midwest. Many September days the weather was picture-perfect, allowing good corn silage and soybean harvests. The corn fields dried down rapidly, and that job is largely in the rearview mirror. For the most part, the crop looked good considering the late, wet spring that we had. This area has been blessed with a bountiful hay crop with most farmers getting four or five cuttings….

Hoard’s Dairyman recently published its annual list of the Top 50 milk cooperatives in the United States. This year’s list had some bad news concerning farm numbers. Total membership in the Top 50 was down by almost 2,000 farms in a single year. No surprise there, I’m afraid. The 18th largest organization on the list bucked the trend, however. Its numbers for both members and volume…