AgAlmanac
The Almanac
Market intelligence, production guidance, and business insights — written for farmers and ranchers who make decisions based on data.
Corn & Soybean Price Outlook: What to Watch This Spring
With South American harvest pressure easing and domestic demand holding steady, here's what's moving corn and soybean futures — and what it means for your forward contracts.
Fertilizer Prices Ahead of Spring Application: Is Now the Time to Buy?
Anhydrous ammonia and DAP prices have pulled back from last year's highs. A breakdown of current price levels, what's driving them, and whether to buy now or wait.
Cover Crops: The Real Numbers Behind the Benefits
Cover crops are everywhere in ag conversations. But what do they actually do for your bottom line? We break down the documented benefits — and the honest costs.
How Much Does Late Planting Really Cost You?
University data across the Corn Belt shows clear yield penalties for delayed planting. Here's the research — and how to factor it into your spring planning.
Cattle Market Outlook: Tight Supply Is Here to Stay
The U.S. beef cow herd is at its smallest since 1961. What that means for fed cattle prices, calf values, and your operation's opportunities in 2025.
Hay Prices and the Drought Factor: What Livestock Producers Need to Know
Drought has tightened hay supplies across key producing regions. A look at current hay prices by region, quality premiums, and sourcing strategies.
Farm Bill 2025: Where Things Stand and What Farmers Should Watch
Congress has been working on a new farm bill for over two years. Here's the honest status of negotiations, the key sticking points, and what it means for commodity programs and crop insurance.
La Niña's Grip on Spring 2025: What the Forecast Means for Planting
La Niña conditions are expected to persist into spring 2025. Historical patterns suggest drier-than-normal conditions for key portions of the Corn Belt and Plains. Here's the breakdown.
Know Your Cost Per Bushel — The Most Important Number in Farming
You can't make good marketing decisions without knowing your cost of production. Here's a plain-language breakdown of how to calculate yours — and why most farmers underestimate it.
Precision Ag ROI: What the Data Actually Shows
Variable rate seeding, prescription fertilizer, and yield mapping have been sold as profit centers. Independent research shows the reality is more nuanced — here's what pencils and what doesn't.
Carbon Markets and Regenerative Ag: Separating Hype from Reality
Carbon credit programs have been pitched to farmers as a new revenue stream. An honest look at what programs are paying, what they require, and whether the numbers work.