Stephanie Hoff

Corn is drawing the most attention from grain market watchers as global supplies tighten and demand remains strong. Mike Zuzolo, founder of Global Commodity Analytics, says the fundamentals behind corn are the strongest they've been in years. As harvest approaches, Zuzolo says marketing decisions may be just as important as production numbers.

Expanding markets for ethanol is a key priority as the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council elects its new chairman. Jay Reiners stepped away from day-to-day farming after 35 years on his central Nebraska farm to focus on international issues. He says the council is busy given the administration's strong emphasis on trade

The Senate Agriculture Committee advanced its version of the Farm Bill on a 12-to-11 party-line vote, but a dispute over California's Proposition 12 remains unresolved.

While the Senate Agriculture Committee has advanced a new Farm Bill, disagreements remain over SNAP funding and how states will share future program costs. Despite those differences, lawmakers from both

The effort to secure permanent nationwide access to E15 continues on Capitol Hill. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said permanent year-round access to E15 would benefit both consumers and agriculture.

Trade remains one of the biggest influences on grain markets, but shifting global supply patterns and rising production costs are also shaping the outlook for farmers. Garrett Toay, owner of AgTraderTalk, says trade is the top factor he's watching, while input costs remain a key concern for producers.

Nebraska cattle producers face drought, wildfire recovery, and historically tight herd supplies. Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith and more than 50 of his colleagues urged President Trump to prioritize trade policies

The latest USDA reports have added significantly more corn to the balance sheet than traders expected, while inflation and interest rates continue weighing on the broader economy. Texas A&M grain marketing specialist Mark Welch believes the market may face additional pressure if current production estimates hold.

As congressional campaigns enter the final stretch before Election Day, the National Grange is urging candidates to prioritize rural healthcare. The organization is calling for protections for rural hospitals and clinics. It's also pushing Congress to strengthen oversight of the federal 340B drug pricing program. Burton Eller, Legislative Director for the National Grange, said

The second-largest corn crop on record is coming off the ground: where will all that grain go? While total U.S. storage capacity is substantial, some parts of the Corn Belt are facing tighter conditions than others as harvest rolls ahead. Guy Allen, Senior Economist for the International Grains Program at Kansas State University, says storage concerns vary widely by region.