DiscoverField Posts
Field Posts
Claim Ownership

Field Posts

Author: DTN/Progressive Farmer

Subscribed: 9Played: 239
Share

Description

Learn about and discuss the cutting edge of the ag industry and explore new perspectives on farming’s old adages. Field Posts is a weekly podcast by DTN/The Progressive Farmer that dives deeper into the most important trends in technology, policy, management, and business to explore the ag industry’s cutting edge.
188 Episodes
Reverse
March 19th, the official first day of spring of this 2024 leap year, was followed shortly by some of the wettest and most wintery weather many have seen since harvest. The waning El Nino pattern deserves some of the credit or the blame, as farmers worrying about drought balance the need for more soil moisture and the desire to get in the field. To help us sort out this unpredictable is DTN’s Team Lead for Ag Weather John Baranick, who takes us beat by beat through what to expect in the coming weeks and months for the major growing regions of the country. We’ll tackle precipitation, soil temperatures, and how likely drought or flooding is to become a major factor this season. Then we’ll dive into the global weather picture, with a particular focus on Latin America, to better understand how changing patterns around the world might be set to affect commodity markets in the season ahead.
2024’s National Ag Day is March 19th, with major events taking place in Washington DC and all around the country as farmers, their families, and ag industry members gather to celebrate their work. The day will kick off with a Presidential proclamation honoring the day, followed by words from the Secretary of Agriculture, the President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, and so much more. To bring us the latest updates from the event, we’re joined by DTN Progressive Farmer editor in chief Greg Horstmeier, who joins us from Washington D.C. where he’s taking part in the day's festivities. He’ll share more information about the agenda, highlight the youth winners of the national ag essay contest, and provide information for those hoping to attend some ag day events this year, or to get involved with planning in the years to come.
The 2024 Commodity Classic was held February 28th through March 2nd in balmy Houston, Texas, and participants flocked from around the country and the world to see the latest tech and hear news-making announcements from the Secretary of Agriculture, leaders in agribusiness, and national commodity groups. This year’s event drew the most attendees ever, with more than 11,000 farmers and members of the agricultural community in attendance. To bring us everything you might have missed, whether you attended the event or not, we’re joined by DTN Progressive Farmer editor in chief Greg Horstmeier, who will take us beat by beat through everything from policy announcements related to Sustainable Aviation Fuels to his takeaways from the trade show floor. He’ll dig into technology and equipment, the hype around all things carbon, and offer insight on what he heard from farmers at the event about planting and the season ahead. Plus we’ll discuss the recent crop protection news, what he heard about crop insurance discussions at the event, and what’s ahead for DTN coverage.
The 100th annual USDA Ag Outlook Forum took place February 15th and 16th, and the Department’s keystone event didn’t disappoint. Given current conditions and forecasts, analysts are expecting a record crop of corn, soybeans and wheat in 2024, which will further flesh out a global stocks figure that could continue to drive prices down. All of that, economists expect, could ead to the largest annual decline in farm incomes on record. Today, DTN Farm Business Editor Katie Dehlinger joins us to share the highlights from the forum, covering everything from the specifics of USDA’s expectations for commodity grains to how all of this might impact grower decisions going forward. She’ll speak about the message from the Secretary of Agriculture about the need to refocus on shoring up the farm safety net in the Farm Bill that was expected last year, and tell us about the response that Secretary Vilsack’s proposal received from former USDA Chief Economists in the room. We’ll dig more into the prospective planting figures, understand how interest rates and farm input costs are weighing on farm profitability, hear more about the future of crop insurance, and about the upcoming DTN Ag Summit Series Planting event in March.
The March WASDE dropped Friday March 8th, and despite maintaining its status as a quieter report, a key announcement offered some support for soybeans, as other news of the week depressed wheat. DTN’s Lead Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to dig into the latest numbers, in particular some global figures, from USDA that provides updates to past soybean exports to China and maintains its discrepancy with Latin American figures on the potential for Brazilian crops. In addition to parsing the latest from the report, we’ll dig into other department announcements, including what Todd heard (and didn’t hear) from Secretary Vilsack at Commodity Classic about the future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and when USDA’s annual forecast out of the Ag Outlook Forum could mean for markets and planting in the weeks ahead. We’ll talk through the current basis picture, concerns about global commodities trade, and check in on the broader economic context.
On February 7th, 2024, a federal judge ruled that the EPA had unlawfully approved dicamba for over the top use in cotton and soybeans, leading to a ban for three dicamba-based weed killers for 2024. What exactly that would mean for growers who had already bought and paid for seeds and chemistry for the new crop was unclear, until the EPA issued an order a week later that allows for limited sales and distribution of these products that are already out of the manufacturers possession– what’s known as an existing stocks order. DTN Crops Editor Jason Jenkins joins us today to dig into all the details of what these announcements mean for growers who have or plan to use these products during the season on their cotton and soybean crops. He’ll break down the lawsuit and its outcomes, share the specific dates until which growers can buy and use these products this year, and offer some perspective on what might be in store in the future for these brands. Plus, he’ll share insight on the bigger picture for the pesticides market — including how pending shifts in the way that EPA regulates the industry might lead to big changes in what’s available and what’s not in terms of crop protection. 
The smallest cattle herd in the history of USDA reporting is currently standing in the US as we speak, and the reduced stock extends from feeder and grass calves all the way to heifers and bred cattle. On top of that, tough winter weather at the start of the year has curbed slaughter weights, making a beef market that’s still hungry for product even hungrier. DTN Livestock Analyst ShayLe Stewart joins us today to discuss all of these bullish headwinds and much more, as we dive into the most recent USDA outlooks, the regional weather picture, and what we’re likely to see in the Cattle on Feed report later this week. We’ll dig into the details of slaughter pace and consumer demand in what’s traditionally a slow time of the year. Then we’ll talk about the feed picture, impacts of global import and export figures, and look ahead to how producers might want to be thinking about decision-making in the year ahead. We’ll tackle all this, and hear how things are going on ShayLe’s family cattle operation.
 The February WASDE dropped Thursday, February 8th, and despite being a relatively quiet report, still sent waves through commodity markets as USDA diverges from Brazilian officials in its estimate of Brazilian crops. The result– some confusion about the global corn stocks and some hope that Latin American competition might not be too fierce in 2024.  DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to offer his insight on the latest figures, as well as how a shifting global weather forecast, and rapidly evolving security situations on two continents, may affect ag markets in the month to come. We’ll dive into USDA’s perspective on export action, then dig into the ethanol and crush pictures in light of the complex global energy situation. Then we’ll check in on the wheat and livestock markets, with analysis on how the department is tracking wheat’s tough supply and demand picture and whether tightness in the cattle market will persist. We’ll talk through the current basis picture, concerns about the Chinese demand picture, and look ahead to what could influence prospective planting.
Farmers for Soil Health is both a collaboration amongst farmer groups and a program hoping to motivate a big change in the US ag landscape.  The group’s mission– to advance the use of soil health practices like cover crops to help improve farmer profitability, as born out of an agreement between the National Corn Growers and the Soy and Pork checkoffs. Recently, the group won an unprecedented $95 million USDA grant to tackle their goal of achieving 30 million acres in cover crops by 2030, a significant increase over today’s numbers. Today, we’re talking to the executive director of Farmers for Soil Health, Ben West, about the details of the project, who’s behind it, and how farmers can get involved. We’ll learn about the different tracks available to farmers who have never tried cover crops, to those who have tried but given up, and even for those who are currently using cover crops but would like to see added benefits. We’ll also dig into the role of consumer-facing companies in the project, and how USDA is involved. Then we’ll tackle what the future of the collaboration might look like.
Tech aficionados and leading brands from around the globe descended on Las Vegas January 9th through 12th to see and show off their latest tools and toys at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show. Artificial intelligence and autonomous machines were just the beginning, as more than 25 categories were represented — everything from sustainability to cryptocurrency. DTN’s Dan Miller was at the show to cover the agriculture tools that were on display, from John Deere, Kubota, Bobcat, and more. He’ll share what he saw and discuss what he learned from the companies themselves about what might be in store later this season and beyond for growers interested in exploring the cutting edge of equipment technology. Plus, he’ll cover Deere’s newly announced partnership with SpaceX’s Starlink to provide connectivity to more farmers in the US and beyond, and clue us in on the latest on pricing, electric tractors, and data aggregation.
The January WASDE dropped Friday, January 12th, offering further confirmation of 2023’s record corn crop and adding bearish pressure to the commodity markets overall as the US stock picture across the board looks healthier than many expected. DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to offer his insight on not only the January WASDE, but also other key announcements from USDA, including the December 1st Grain Stocks report and the Winter Wheat Seedings update. We’ll dive deep into the latest numbers that are driving US markets, and look abroad to the condition of Latin America’s developing corn and soybean crop to better understand what the first months of 2024 might have in store. We’ll tackle the demand picture, dig into the evolving role of weather in US grain markets, and think critically about how  global pressures, from Russian geopolitical maneuvering to low water levels in the Panama Canal, are creating new signals for farmers on what to plant for the coming crop. We’ll talk cattle and hog markets, the latest headlines out of China and the Middle East, and update some predictions on the year ahead.
Farmland news was hot in 2023 and promises to remain so in 2024, whether it’s about how much land is selling, how much it’s going for, or who’s buying it. The market has been driven by a number of unpredictable factors in recent years, everything from the pandemic to trade aid to investor interest and high commodity prices. But how long can the run-up last, and what can growers and land buyers expect in the aftermath? Today, we’re dropping in on DTN Editor-in-Chief Gregg Hillyer as he moderates a panel at the 2023 DTN Ag Summit on the current and future state of farmland markets. You’ll hear from Jeremy Stevens, partner and managing broker at National Land Realty in Little Rock, AK, Howard Halderman, President of Halderman Farm Management in Wabash Indiana, and David Martin, Managing Director of U.S. Agriculture, a privately-held investment firm focused on acquiring and managing quality farmland for institutional investors based in Carmel, Indiana. This distinguished panel will dig into trends in farmland sales in specific regions across the country, diving deep on what’s motivating purchases of small and large parcels, as well how ag market factors will continue to drive farmland values into the new year.Hear the full discussion at https://www.dtn.com/2023-ag-summit-series/
DTN’s 2023 Ag Summit, and the 2023 crop year is officially a wrap, and farmers across the country are looking forward to more than just 2024. The end of the year is, for many, a time to think about the generations past and those still to come, and it’s at time at DTN when we think about the young farmers and ranchers who are confidently leading the way into an uncertain future. In that vein, DTN’s Dan Miller joins us today to discuss, and introduce, America’s Best Young Farmers and Ranchers awardees. In addition to getting a little introduction to some of the finest young producers out there, who are tackling farm transitions, questions about technology and growth, and much more, we’ll also hear a little more about the Best Young Farmers program, get a peak behind the curtain of how it works, and how you, or a young producer you know, might get involved in 2024 or beyond.
The 2023 DTN Ag Summit wrapped up in early December with DTN Ag Meteorologist  John Baranick helping attendees look ahead to the 2024 crop season with an eye to weather in the US and around the world. After months of establishing a new El Nino pattern that’s edged towards a super El Nino event, the latest models are predicting that that effect may diminish mid-way through next year, sending weather into neutral territory or even into a La Nina by the summer. The good news is, John’s forecast takes us beat by beat through what we know and what’s still uncertain about the weeks and months ahead, and what different possibilities could mean for planting and production both across the US and in key competitive regions like Argentina and Brazil. He’ll also dive into some questions about possible wild cards, weather in Black Sea, and what key features he’ll be keeping an eye on in the weeks ahead. We’ll hear about evolving drought conditions, Mississippi water levels, and what conditions might mean for prices.
Though the December WASDE dropped Friday, December 8th, the neutrality and general lack of changes in the report meant that DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman could focus more on his discussion at the 2023 DTN Ag Summit about the bigger picture in the markets and how it might drive markets in 2024 and beyond. Today, we’re dropping in on Todd’s market forecast to hear more about how he sees the lingering effects of the global pandemic, the fluid situation in China, and the growing competitiveness of Brazil and Latin America influencing corn and soybean markets in the year ahead. We’ll take a closer look at the weather picture and how total supply might evolve in the coming months, and at the demand picture, with a particular focus on both corn and soybean biofuel markets. We’ll also touch on the impacts of global conflicts, energy prices, and how market watchers can stay on top of the story.
From November 9th to the 15th, equipment manufacturers from around the world descended on Hanover, Germany to unveil new equipment and introduce farmers to their most advanced technologies at the annual Agritechnica Trade Show. Progressive Farmer Senior Editor Joel Reichenberger was there, visiting with some of the 3000+ vendors to stay abreast of announcements ranging from advanced combines to new electric and hybrid tractors. Today, we’ll check in with Joel about what he saw, with special attention to when US farmers will be able to see some of this equipment available for use in the field. We’ll talk about the latest in thinking around autonomy, what’s evolving and what’s not when it comes to drones and digital technology in the cab, and some of the more unexpected quirks of European farm equipment shows. Plus we’ll dig into more news to watch as the equipment space continues to advance.
Fertilizer prices across the board are down off near all-time highs from this time last year, and providing less angst as the farm sector moves into the winter months. However, that doesn’t mean that uncertainty and risk are gone, as two global conflicts in key fertilizer exporting regions threaten to throttle supply if conditions change. This week, we’re joined by DTN editor and reporter Russ Quinn to dig into the current market conditions, and what’s likely to drive them going forward. We’ll explore the latest price trends, tracking the global trade in key nitrogen, phosphorus and potash markets that are no longer being affected by sluggish supply chains and a global pandemic, but instead face negative and positive pressures from new Chinese exports, and investment in US domestic fertilizer production, and the outlook for winter weather around the globe. We’ll also discuss advice for farmers as they follow fertilizer market news in the coming months, unpack expectations about potential wild cards, and hear how past conflicts might come back to haunt crop nutrients.Read more of Russ’s reporting on the fertilizer markets here. 
The November WASDE dropped Nov. 9, 2023, bringing with it the unexpected announcement of an expected record corn crop. After late season drought impacted much of the corn belt, this update came as a shock to market watchers, and helped contribute to a bearish outlook in the marketplace. DTN’s Lead Markets Analyst Todd Hultman joins us today to offer his insight on what’s informing USDA’s evolving outlook, and what farmers should consider as 2023 yield estimates move towards that final January figure. We’ll discuss the latest on the global weather picture, and how an optimistic outlook in Latin America will drive the market going forward. We’ll also dig into China demand as well as Russian actions in the wheat market as US growers continue to struggle to find buyers abroad. Plus, Todd will explore the latest hit to the cattle markets as well as ongoing news in hogs. We’ll talk energy prices, interest rate hikes, and why Todd is following global geopolitics and trade partnerships so much as he looks to the year ahead.
With harvest well underway and the end of the year looming, many farmers are starting to think about what equipment they might upgrade or purchase before 2024 arrives. And there is a lot to consider. From the increasing opportunity to acquire autonomous tools like grain carts to upgrades on tractors, combines, and implements, the world of farm equipment is advancing fast, and staying on top of the latest can feel like a fulltime job. Luckily, it literally is Progressive Farmer Senior Editor Dan Miller’s full time job, and he spent his summer and fall at shows like Farm Progress and keeping up with the latest releases directly from major manufacturers. We’ll dive into what he’s learned about new releases, and get a look under the hood of his big story about the shortage of equipment technicians, and what the big companies are doing about it. We’ll talk training, job opportunities, and how competition for tech-savvy mechanics might only be increasing.Register for the 2023 DTN Ag Summit here.
With harvest well in view for most farmers, plans for winter down time are also coming into focus. For years, DTN’s Ag Summit has been helping farmers prepare strategically for the uncertainties in the markets, weather and current events of the year to come, and this year is no exception. We’re talking to DTN’s Katie Dehlinger today about this year’s event, entitled “Fortifying Your Financial Foundation.” Katie will tell us all about how the speakers, panels and discussion opportunities will hone in on this theme– with individual topics running the gamut from farmland issues to tax changes to predictions for markets and weather in the year to come. We’ll hear about the national young farmers and ranchers awardees and learn how to register and prepare to attend. Learn more at dtn.com/agsummit.
loading
Comments 
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store