For Mark Matuska, Milford, Iowa (Dickinson County) Sunday, September 27, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk.
Weather, Dickinson County, IA
What this means for today: Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then areas of fog and a slight chance of drizzle between 7am and 10am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog between 10am and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Wind 0 to 7 mph through the day (see the hour by hour table below). Chance of precipitation is 20%. Source: NOAA National Weather Service via the MI Farm AI weather layer for Dickinson County, IA, 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 4 mph. Rain WindowWe could not get a reading right on your field this morning. The nearest weather station (Estherville IA, about 16 miles northwest) recorded 0.31 inches in the past 24 hours. Your own ground may differ, so check your gauge. Rain expected at your field: Next 24 hours: 0.00 inches expected Next 48 hours: 0.09 inches expected Next 72 hours: 0.15 inches expected Source: NOAA National Weather Service forecast and NOAA radar rainfall estimates, pulled this morning. 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 2026-09-27.
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 2026-09-27.
Grain and Livestock, corn, soybeans, wheat, cattleFriday's close. Markets closed for the weekend. These are the most recent settled prices; the boards reopen the next trading day. Cal's Grain Call: Price a portion of 69,700 bu corn at $5.14/bu via NEW Cooperative, Milford (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: The growing 2026 crop is new crop soybean; it prices on the November board.
Source: CME livestock futures. Cal's Market ReadAt Friday's close, corn slipped about 1 cents; and beans added about 3 cents. Recent trend, over the last 5 sessions, corn has eased 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: In Pursuit of Trees to Solve Conservation Challenges. Honest truth, the tape does not hand us one clean reason today, so take this as our best read, not gospel. Stocks point lower into the open, S&P futures off about 0.3 percent. A softer tape can tighten the credit and input-cost mood your lender watches, worth a glance, but it does not set your cash bid. Cal Wall Street, Friday'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 7 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. In Pursuit of Trees to Solve Conservation Challenges
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in the Northern Great Plains has been planting trees and shrubs since the 1930s for erosion control, wildlife habitat, and wind protection. The Bismarck Plant Materials Center (PMC) of NRCS has been improving tree species since 1954 to help trees survive harsh environments. OCEP sites offer diverse climatic conditions where trees are evaluated for adaptability and performance over a long period of time. The PMC evaluates hundreds of seed sources and species annually at 14 different OCEP locations, with the most recent evaluations in Brookings, SD and Dickinson, ND. Information gathered by the Bismarck PMC plays a vital role in cultivar and germplasm development and NRCS Technical Guide recommendations for Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment and Tree/Shrub Establishment in the Northern Great Plains. The Plant Materials Program aims to share plant solutions that solve local and national conservation problems. In agroforestry, trees and shrubs are intentionally integrated into crop and pasture lands to diversify farming operations and bring environmental benefits. The Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research (FFAR) awarded a $300,000 Seeding Solutions grant to the Savanna Institute to produce high-resolution future climate suitability maps across the Midwestern US. Scientists have identified potential ecological benefits of strategically applied livestock grazing in sagebrush communities across US western rangelands. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has withdrawn their notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement on old-growth forests, and local stakeholders praised the agency's decision to listen to them. On farms, nutrient management requires a custom plan to help minimize nutrient runoff from fields into local waterways. The USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) works with producers to develop nutrient management plans that can protect water quality and save money.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Sun Sep 27, 2026 4:31 PM CT 2. SDSU Weed Science Teams Compete in First-ever Contest, Graduate Team Finishes Second
The SDSU Weed Science graduate team finished second in a contest hosted by Bayer. Students studied weed identification, herbicide identification, problem-solving and recommendations, sprayer calibration, and mathematical problems related to herbicide use and sprayer calibration for months. The competition provides students with valuable real-world experience, opportunities to network, and strengthen their problem-solving skills.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Sun Sep 27, 2026 4:25 PM CT 3. Durum market receives good, but challenging news
The durum market received good news with price increases after a period of stability, but challenges remain due to ongoing harvest analysis. Only email notifications are sent daily, and only if there are new matches found.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Sun Sep 27, 2026 6:00 AM CT 4. Barn Boards and Baling Wire
The article is about John Sumwalt, a retired pastor and former cat owner who is the author of "Shining Moments: Visions of the Holy in Ordinary Lives." Despite having many things to keep him grounded on earth, such as loved ones and unfinished work, Sumwalt writes about his visions of heaven and what it could offer that would be better. He can be reached by email, phone or mail with his address being W172 N7735, #932, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Sun Sep 27, 2026 1:00 AM CT 5. Waltner: A word harvest on the combine
Title: Waltner: A word harvest on the combine Summary: The article traces the history of the combine, a machine used in farming to combine three separate harvesting tasks, reaping, threshing and winnowing, into one process. The origin of the name "combine" is explained as it literally means "combined harvester-thresher." The article discusses how mechanization introduced efficiency, convenience, and speed in farming practices in the 1800s. It also highlights key figures such as Reverend Patrick Bell, Hiram Moore, John Hascall, Cyrus McCormick, John Avery, Hiram Abial Pitts, and J.I. Case who played significant roles in developing different types of combines. The article concludes with how the combine has evolved over time, with the introduction of tractor-pulled combines and self-propelled combines.
Read the full article. AgWeek, Sat Sep 26, 2026 1:00 PM CT 6. Watch: Getting back in the cab
Logan Heath of Quincy, Ohio, faced life-changing challenges after a senior year high school accident left him paralyzed. With support from Rachel Jarman, Dr. Dee Jepsen, and Ohio AgrAbility, Heath discovered new ways to be an active part of his family's 2,000-acre corn, soybean, wheat, and hay farm using adaptive equipment such as a lift system and tracked power wheelchair. Heath can now operate tractors, combines, check crops, and continue doing what he loves most in farming.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Sun Sep 27, 2026 2:30 PM CT 7. Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ep. 463, Drones Unable to Fly Under Tariff Radar
New tariffs on imported drones and parts have been imposed, which may affect the growing segment of American agriculture. Alex Ryan, CEO of Altus Ag Aviation Consulting and Kenton Richter, owner-operator of Buckeye Aerial Application discuss their concerns in this Ohio Ag Net Podcast episode, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat. The expansion of Airable Labs to Shawnee State University may also impact the Ohio Soybean Council.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Sun Sep 27, 2026 2:45 PM CT Around the WorldThe world news moving your markets this morning, the same read from Cal's desk that runs on your dashboard. Black Sea: Germany urges Russia to restore grain exports1. German and Russian foreign ministers spoke in New York on September 26. 2. Berlin urged swift progress on grain exports via the Black Sea, which are disrupted due to the invasion of Ukraine. 3. The German foreign minister called for an immediate ceasefire and prioritized grain exports and energy infrastructure. 4. Russia is discussing proposals with India, Egypt, and Turkey aimed at securing navigation in the Black Sea. 5. Sergey Lavrov claims that attacks on Ukrainian ports are impacting importing countries in the Global South. 6. The German Foreign Ministry had warned that these disruptions would primarily affect Southern countries reliant on imports. beninwebtv.com (via world wire). Read the full story.Russia Can Restart 80% Of Black Sea Grain Export If Attacks StopRussia can quickly resume up to 80% of its grain export capacity in the Black Sea if diplomatic efforts result in a ceasefire. However, three terminals accounting for about 20% of Russia's infrastructure have suffered heavy damage and could take months to repair. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is leading an international effort to restore Black Sea grain trade, which has been stalled by attacks on ports and vessels in recent months. The route handled up to 70% of Russia's grain exports before the attacks. Ukraine, India, Egypt, and other Middle Eastern countries are also involved in restoring trade. Three major terminals have suffered serious damage in Ukrainian attacks, affecting about one-fifth of grain-loading capacity in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. The Kremlin acknowledged diplomatic contacts but said Russia was finding alternate export routes in the meantime. The analysis showed that three of nine major terminals had serious damage, one of which could take up to six months to repair. Other damaged terminals have halted operations although the full extent of the damage could not be established. Essential news sourced from across the globe. gCaptain (via world wire). Read the full story.Local ObituariesWe note the passing of neighbors across your area, gathered from the local papers this morning. Our thoughts are with their families. Carol Leone (Adams) RiessenDickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.Rose-Marie 'Ro' Doty JacksonDickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.Mark ElliottDickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.Ginger OsterholtDickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.Dan TryonDickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.William 'Bill' SchugDickinson County News 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 SafetyFarmers have one of the highest skin cancer rates of any job from years of sun. Wear a wide-brim hat, long sleeves when you can, and sunscreen on the neck, ears, and forearms. A yearly skin check catches the early ones. Source: National Ag Safety Database; Marshfield Clinic agricultural medicine. Cal The Coffee ShopToday in Farm History, Granger movement 1875By 1875, the Grange (Patrons of Husbandry, founded 1867) had 858,000 members in 21,000 local lodges across rural America. The movement pushed for state laws regulating grain elevators and railroads, the original "farmer versus middleman" fight, settled at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1877 (Munn v. Illinois). Source: Library of Congress American Memory agricultural history collection. [CAL'S QUIZ]
Henry A. Wallace, born in 1888 in Orient, Iowa, founded which hybrid seed-corn company in 1926?
(a) DEKALB
(b) Pioneer Hi-Bred
(c) Funk Brothers
(d) Channel
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
A neighbor moving south asked the farmer, "Aren't you tired of the snow?" The farmer said, "Yes. But I'm more tired of people who aren't."
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(b) Pioneer Hi-Bred. Wallace founded Pioneer in 1926, later served as FDR's Secretary of Agriculture (1933-1940) and as the 33rd Vice President of the United States. Pioneer is still one of the largest seed brands in the corn belt. Source: Iowa State Historical Society; USDA history office.
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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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Signed by Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, Editor in Chief, The MI Farm AI Desk.