Wisconsin has been a leading producer of all things dairy since the late 19th century. At that time, the state transitioned away from being part of America’s breadbasket, growing wheat and became the dairy state.
According to the USDA, Wisconsin is the second largest milk-producing state, accommodating one-fourth…

Whether you produce conventional grains, milk or beef, it’s getting tougher to make real profits today as inputs skyrocket. That’s why we offer AgProfit Strategies Workshops in 15 states across the heart of farm country. Filled with advanced information about marketing, risk management, budgeting, and…

Aaron Johnson says organic farming is all he has ever known. Thankful to be continuing the organic farming traditions that began in Madison, South Dakota, with his mom and dad, aunt and uncle, Johnson, and his wife Kristin, are raising their three children, Anika, 10, Anthony, 8, and Leah, 4, on the same land and in the same house where…

Collective grain marketing is alive and well in today’s organic grain market. And so is market price discovery in both the organic and conventional grain markets.
It’s often been said that either you’re at the bargaining table or you are on the menu, but I don’t agree completely with…

In recognition of June Dairy Month, I would like to dedicate this issue of the National Farmers Magazine to the dairy industry and especially our own dairy department and all of our producers and staff that are devoted to producing and marketing excellent quality milk to help fill the needs of the consuming public.

Another year, another gloomy dairy report from the USDA. The number of licensed dairy farms in the United States is now officially below 30,000.
Think about that. I, like many of you, can remember back to a time in which some individual states had more…

Many cattle marketing analysts have been wondering what the next Black Swan event could be. On February 24, as the first missiles launched over Ukraine, we had our answer.
I believe COVID-19 has had a long tail affecting cattle markets. But now, the Russia-Ukraine war is impacting…

Most U.S. farmers are busy getting equipment and fields ready for planting, if they haven’t started already. They have been planning since last harvest what crops to grow, which varieties to plant, and all the other details that go into the next successful harvest. Sure, plans change, but I don’t know of any farmer that waits until…

Profit margin drives the decision for Chris Halls and his parents, Mark and Michelle, to finish Holsteins on their Brooten, Minnesota operation, in the rolling hills of the west central part of the state. “We’ve always been able to make more money feeding Holsteins than colored cattle…

Re-establish non-recourse loans as a price support instead of marketing loans, and that loan rates be set at $5.00 per bushel on corn, $7.50 per bushel on wheat, and $12.00 per bushel on soybeans. Re-enact a farmer-owned grain reserve program with the fallowing provisions: The reserve…

A long-time advocate for National Farmers Organization passed away Dec. 11. Kelly Shockman, Grand Rapids, N.D., was past president of the North Dakota National Farmers Organization, and served on the organization’s national board of directors. He was active in farm politics at both…

There are many factors to consider when selecting your workers’ compensation insurance. Here are some terms – five Ds – you may have heard and the affect they have on the cost of your coverage. Dividends. Dividends are a way to share in the good performance of your operation. If you…

National Farmers Organization signed on to a letter by several farm groups urging passage of the American Beef Labeling Act of 2021, Oct. 27. The legislation would restore mandatory Country of Origin labeling for beef. The American Beef Labeling Act (S.2716) addresses…

Our Dairy Division is growing. That’s wonderful, but we can never forget that new milk needs new markets. Our sales staff relies on seven time-tested principles as they develop good homes for the milk our members produce. 1. We don’t compete with our buyers by owning or operating processing…

Even in these strange COVID-19 times, the Livestock Division staff continues to post year-over-year, double-digit volume increases. As issues of staffing, quarantines, masks and mandatory vaccinations plague the packing industry and trickle down to markets and producers, National Farmers Livestock has…

This past year has presented many and varied challenges, however, your National Farmers Grain Division has experienced a successful year with significant growth and the addition of some excellent professionals to our team. LuAnn Robinson, our longtime grain settlement specialist, retired…

National Farmers Grain Division has named two new marketing representatives. Scott Wharton is the new conventional grain representative for Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
Wharton grew up on a National Farmers dairy operation in Mason, Illinois, and has considerable…

Corn is King. – We have all heard that saying over the years. In today’s world does it mean anything. Is it even relevant?
Those of us in National Farmers used to predict that cheap corn meant cheap…

Have you had a chance to see the new ad we are running in farm papers across the country? If not, you can look at it in this edition of the Magazine.
We’ve been getting some great responses to the ad. I’d like to hear from each…

What a difference a couple of months can make. Last time I penned this article we were wondering how high the market could go. Now, of course we’re wondering if it can get back to the level it was then, the hope marketing…

Basis levels for November-December 2021 delivery are higher for farmers’ delivery locations east of the Mississippi, when compared with the harvest pressure placed upon the cash markets. For farmers, basis is one market signal to…

After last year’s convention cancellation because of safety concerns about COVID-19, members are excited to attend our annual winter meeting next year. And Bettendorf, Iowa is the place for Convene ‘22, February 8-9. We have packed the…

On September 15, National Farmers Union kicked off its virtual 2021 Fall Legislative Fly-In. National Farmers Organization Legislative Coordinator, Gene Paul represented members at the event. “The core issues NFU presented were…