For Nate Meixell, Lake Crystal, Minnesota (Blue Earth County) Tuesday, September 22, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk.
Weather, Blue Earth County, MN
What this means for today: Partly sunny, with a high near 62. Wind 5 to 11 mph through the day (see the hour by hour table below). Source: NOAA National Weather Service via the MI Farm AI weather layer for Blue Earth County, MN, pulled this morning. Hour by Hour, the day ahead
Source: NOAA National Weather Service hourly forecast and station observations, pulled this morning. Wind this morning at your nearest weather station was about 7 mph. Rain WindowWe could not get a reading right on your field this morning. The nearest weather station (Mankato MN, about 11 miles northeast) recorded no rain in the past 24 hours. Your own ground may differ, so check your gauge. Futures board reference (not your cash)
The board is a labeled futures reference, not your cash bid. Your cash and net after haul are below. Corn Today (Dec 2026 board)
Cash bid, your nearby buyers, ranked by net after haul, best first
Cash bid is each buyer's own posted local price (the local cash plus basis). Ranked by net after haul, best first (ties break to the shorter haul, then higher cash). Net is the cash bid minus the cost to truck it there. Patronage is money a co-op pays back on the bushels you deliver, often a few cents a bushel.
Local cash bids, as of 2026-09-22.
Soybeans Today (Nov 2026 board)
Cash bid, your nearby buyers, ranked by net after haul, best first
Cash bid is each buyer's own posted local price (the local cash plus basis). Ranked by net after haul, best first (ties break to the shorter haul, then higher cash). Net is the cash bid minus the cost to truck it there. Patronage is money a co-op pays back on the bushels you deliver, often a few cents a bushel.
Local cash bids, as of 2026-09-22.
Grain and Livestock, corn, soybeans, wheat, cattleCal's Grain Call: Price a portion of 140,000 bu corn at $5.26/bu via POET Lake Crystal (a recommendation, see the factors).Corn: Grain in the bin is 2025 old crop corn; in September it prices on the old crop September board. Soybeans: Grain in the bin is 2025 old crop soybean; in September it prices on the old crop September board. Your whole farm money: about $1,113,093 net across your farm at today's board price. (32% of costs still estimated) Likely range $465,416 to $1,436,933: revenue is real, some costs are still estimated. This is your complete-budget whole-farm net from the one farm-total writer, not the field boxes added up.
Source: CME livestock futures. Cal's Market ReadOvernight, corn slipped about 2 cents; and beans added about 3 cents. Recent trend, over the last 5 sessions, corn has firmed and beans have firmed. That is the backdrop your cash bid is moving against. Here is our read on why. Cutting the other way, demand still reads firm per Morning Ag Clips: Farm Credit Foundation to Award More Than $350,000 in Scholarships to Future Agricultural Professionals. Honest truth, the tape does not hand us one clean reason today, so take this as our best read, not gospel. Stocks are steady going into the open, S&P futures close to flat. A calm Wall Street is what your banker likes to see, it keeps the rate and input-cost backdrop behind your operating note quiet for another day. Cal Wall Street, yesterday's close
WHY IT MATTERS FOR YOUR FIELDS Decision DeliveredYour decisions for today and the week ahead:
What to Watch Today
From Cal's News DeskThe 9 stories that moved across the wires since yesterday's Brief, sourced, dated, and verifiable. Each one carries Cal's review, the same one the news page shows, with a link to read it straight from the source. 1. Fulfilling Earlier US-China Agreements Is a Work in Progress as Trump and Xi Meet Again
Title: Fulfilling Earlier US-China Agreements Is a Work in Progress as Trump and Xi Meet Again Summary: The upcoming meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is aimed at finding common ground on various issues, including trade and exports of beef, Boeing aircraft, and artificial intelligence. While modest progress can be expected, major breakthroughs are unlikely. One hope is to find areas of cooperation even if fundamental differences remain. The two countries agreed in May to reduce tariffs on $30 billion of goods each year but have not yet made significant progress. The meeting may also address issues such as dairy and seafood exports, potted bonsai, beef and poultry, and access to aircraft parts.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 22, 2026 8:52 AM CT 2. Lean hogs
The hog market showed strength after a new contract low close in December, reaching a higher daily high for the first time in seven sessions. Despite little change in open interest overall, a nearly 1,900-contract increase was seen in December. However, pressure from a rallying U.S. dollar and a continuing slip in the lean hog index may affect market trends.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 22, 2026 8:47 AM CT 3. Watch live: Trump addresses UN General Assembly, meets with world leaders
President Trump will speak at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday about ongoing conflicts and AI concerns. Following his address, he will meet with leaders from several countries including Zelensky, Takaichi, Burnham, Gulf nations, Greenland and Denmark, and Rodriguez. The administration will also host an event around its Sheild of the Americas initiative.
Read the full article. The Hill, Tue Sep 22, 2026 8:28 AM CT 4. Lindsay Clancy's attorney asks judge to investigate the lone juror who wanted to convict her
Lindsay Clancy's attorney, Kevin Reddington, is asking a judge to investigate the conduct of juror Michael Desronvil who wanted to convict Clancy of murder in the deaths of her three young children. In a motion filed Friday but made public Monday, Clancy's lawyer asked the court to question juror Desronvil about his alleged use of a cellphone during deliberations, his truthfulness on a questionnaire that prospective jurors filled out before the trial began, and his truthfulness when jurors were questioned by the judge a day before the trial ended. The judge declared a mistrial Sept. 4 after the jury insisted it couldn't reach a unanimous verdict, despite days of trying. Eleven of 12 jurors were ready to clear Clancy of criminal responsibility, with the majority feeling that she was in the grip of a rare condition called postpartum psychosis when she strangled her kids. But Desronvil sided with the prosecutors, who had argued that Clancy knew what she was doing. The jury's foreperson had claimed in an earlier media interview that Desronvil had admitted having "reasonable doubt" about Clancy's guilt but wanted to convict her anyway. However, Desronvil denied this and said he thought it was enough proof that Clancy knew exactly what she was doing based on all the physical evidence, key witnesses, and what the prosecution presented. The judge hasn't made a decision yet about whether to dismiss the criminal case or put Clancy on trial again. In another motion filed Monday, another lawyer for Clancy, Martin Weinberg, asked the judge to take the unusual step of dismissing the criminal case, rather than putting on a new trial, on the grounds that a mistrial shouldn't have been declared in the first place.
Read the full article. PBS NewsHour, Mon Sep 21, 2026 5:31 PM CT 5. Man shot by ICE officer in Texas back in hospital, attorney says
A Venezuelan man was shot and wounded by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Texas over the weekend while making a DoorDash delivery. The man, Wilber Rafael Garces Perez, is currently hospitalized with a bullet still lodged in his back and has received no pain medication or treatment for his wound. ICE agents "sideswiped" the man's car and a federal agent shot him while he was still inside, according to his attorney. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) called the news a "positive first step" in ensuring that the man fully recovers, is reunited with his family, and gets to tell law enforcement the full story of how he was shot in the back by ICE. The Department of Homeland Security is leading an investigation into the incident.
Read the full article. The Hill, Tue Sep 22, 2026 7:05 AM CT 6. Understanding what 'book value' means
In the 1980s, your father's partnership with your two brothers changed from a normal one to an LLLP (limited liability limited partnership). This change may affect the value of the partnership to you, known as "book value." Michael Baron, an estate planning expert at Great Plains Diversified Services in Bismarck, North Dakota, can provide guidance on how to determine the book value of your farm. To contact him, email KeeptheFamilyFarm@gmail.com. Please note that email notifications are only sent once a day and only if there are new matching items.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 22, 2026 9:00 AM CT 7. Farm Credit Foundation to Award More Than $350,000 in Scholarships to Future Agricultural Professionals
The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is accepting applications for its 2027 scholarship program, offering at least $350,000 in scholarships with individual awards valued at up to $10,000. This scholarship program reflects the Foundation's commitment to investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture and helping them achieve their educational and career goals. Eligible students can apply online through January 8, 2027, and scholarships will be awarded in April 2027. For more information and to apply, visit FCFoundationforAg.org or email [email protected]. In addition to the scholarship program, Horizon Farm Credit's Ag Biz Masters program is open for registration now through December 15, 2025. The two-year educational program aims to refine young and beginning farmers' business management, financial, and marketing skills. To learn more and register, visit horizonfc.com. Meanwhile, Virginia's cold mountain streams create thriving habitats for rainbow trout that are celebrated for their delicate taste and recreational opportunities. The state has over 3,500 miles of trout-stocked waters, with five trout hatcheries sustaining public fishing areas. However, many private waters also offer excellent fishing experiences. Lastly, Ohio State hosted the 2025 Northeast Regional Dairy Challenge in Wooster, filling the campus with students from across the Northeast and Midwest. Students participated in various dairy-related activities, including judging milk quality, creating a business plan for a dairy operation, and more.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 22, 2026 8:56 AM CT 8. Daybreak Sept. 22: Tom seeks to ease tensions on fertilizer
Kip Tom, an Indiana farmer and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., has written a letter warning against calls for export controls, profit-margin caps, and antitrust actions that could harm free-market principles. He believes that accusing companies of price gouging oversimplifies a complex global market and unfairly demonizes companies investing real capital into a home-grown supply chain. The U.S. has one of the most reliable fertilizer supply systems in the world, often trading at a discount to global competitors. Tom calls for dialogue instead of litigation to address the recent increase in nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer prices. President Donald Trump announced plans to purchase potash from Belarus, but it's uncertain if this will help lower surging fuel prices or ease tensions on fertilizer. The upcoming midterm elections are threatened by a surge in diesel prices that could disrupt harvest work and cause higher food prices.
Read the full article. Agri-Pulse, Tue Sep 22, 2026 7:34 AM CT 9. HUMA Tests Carbon-Based Product in FPS Agronomy Zone
MI Farm AI has developed a carbon-based product that delivers nutrients in a plant tissue within one hour, making it a great delivery mechanism for crop nutrients. In an on-site experiment at the Farm Progress Show, MI Farm AI compared the amount of phosphorus in soybean leaves before and after applying their SUPER PHOS product. The results showed that the treated sample was 10.7 higher than the control sample, demonstrating the effectiveness of the carbon-based technology. This experiment highlights the advantage of using carbon-based products for crop nutrient delivery and could be a valuable tool for farmers looking to increase productivity and profitability. MI Farm AI will share more information about their humic acids in a classroom at the 2027 National No-Tillage Conference, January 13 to 15 in Indianapolis. For farmers who want to learn more about how this technology works and how it can benefit their operations, it is important to watch the full video of this episode of Conservation Ag Update. Additionally, farmers can get full access to the most comprehensive, powerful, and easy-to-use online resource for no-tillage practices by subscribing now. The benefits of using drywall in compost mixes, the advanced concave system from Yetter Farm Equipment, and Titan International's solution-focused wheel, tire, and undercarriage products are also highlighted in this episode, providing farmers with valuable information to improve their operations.
Read the full article. No-Till Farmer, Tue Sep 22, 2026 7:00 AM CT Local ObituariesWe note the passing of neighbors across your area, gathered from the local papers this morning. Our thoughts are with their families. Alaine HoffmanMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Jane McConnellMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Koberg, JeanetteMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Richard WalkerMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Delmer GoebelMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Beverly MathisonMankato Free Press obituaries. Read the full obituary.Cal's ReceiptCal's Receipt is the running ledger of every call this desk made for your farm, what was at stake, whether you followed it, and what it actually saved (or cost). Append-only, and every dollar cites its source. You will find it on your farm Dashboard, on the Farm Services desk. Open the Dashboard from the button at the bottom of this Brief. Today in Farm SafetyKeep a stocked first-aid kit and a charged phone within reach of where you are working, and tell someone your field plan for the day. When you farm alone, minutes matter after an injury, a simple check-in time and a known location can save your life. Source: National Ag Safety Database; AgriSafe Network. Cal The Coffee ShopToday in Farm History, Bordeaux mixture discovered 1882In 1882, French botanist Pierre-Marie-Alexis Millardet noticed that grape vines along Bordeaux roads, sprayed blue to deter thieves, were free of downy mildew. The copper sulfate / lime mixture (Bordeaux mixture) became the first scientifically validated fungicide, still used in organic apple and grape production today. Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service plant pathology history. [CAL'S QUIZ]
The 1825 Erie Canal helped farmers by connecting Midwest grain to which market?
(a) The East Coast and New York
(b) California
(c) Canada only
(d) Mexico
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
A Case-IH man and a Deere man walked into the diner. The waitress said, "Same booth?" They said, "Different counties, same booth." She said, "Same coffee?" They said, "Different cups. The red one doesn't talk to the green one until the second refill."
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(a) The East Coast and New York. The Erie Canal opened a cheap water route for Midwest grain to reach Eastern cities. Source: Library of Congress.
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The MI Farm Brief is the independent daily farm intelligence brief that earns zero when you buy inputs. Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen is the editorial persona of the MI Farm AI desk, the AI-orchestrated production team that produces this Brief every working morning. The Monthly Receipt is signed by the Founder, MI Farm AI. Honest. Independent. Loyal. Transparent. The HILT Covenant.*
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The independent farm intelligence brief that earns zero when you buy inputs.
Signed by Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, Editor in Chief, The MI Farm AI Desk.
Signed by Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, Editor in Chief, The MI Farm AI Desk.