For Kent Harfmann, Mantorville Township, Dodge County, Minnesota Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk.
Weather, Dodge County, MN
What this means for today: Rain showers. Cloudy. High near 70, with temperatures falling to around 63 in the afternoon. Wind 8 to 17 mph through the day (see the hour by hour table below). Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible. Source: NOAA National Weather Service via the MI Farm AI weather layer for Dodge County, MN, pulled this morning. Hour by Hour, the day ahead
Source: NOAA National Weather Service hourly forecast and station observations, pulled this morning. Rain Window We could not get a reading right on your field this morning. The nearest weather station (Rochester MN, about 18 miles north) recorded no rain 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: 0.23 inches expected Next 72 hours: 0.30 inches expected Source: NOAA National Weather Service forecast and NOAA radar rainfall estimates, pulled this morning. Futures board reference (not your cash)
Friday close, board reopens Sunday 7pm CT. 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 2026-09-29.
Grain and Livestock, corn, soybeans, wheat, cattleCal's Grain Call: Price a portion of 40,500 bu corn at $4.99/bu via Crystal Valley, Mantorville Branch (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 ReadOvernight, corn steady; and beans added about 10 cents. Recent trend, over the last 5 sessions, corn has firmed and beans have eased. 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 Brownfield Ag News: Indiana lawmaker seeks dyed diesel relief for farmers as harvest fuel costs surge. Honest truth, the tape does not hand us one clean reason today, so take this as our best read, not gospel. Stocks point higher into the open, S&P futures up about 0.2 percent. A firmer tape eases the borrowing and input-cost mood your lender watches, though it does not move your cash bid by itself. 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 10 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. U.S. hog inventory down 2% from a year ago
The number of hogs and pigs in the US has decreased by 2% over the past year, according to a recent report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This decline has been attributed to changing market conditions and is an important indication of the size of the US hog herd and potential supply of pork moving forward. Iowa remains the largest hog-producing state in the country, with Minnesota and North Carolina ranking second and third. Producers are closely watching farrowing intentions and other factors to determine the supply of market hogs available in the months ahead.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:23 PM CT 2. Tractor Supply Celebrates Grand Opening of 11th Distribution Center in Nampa, Idaho
Tractor Supply celebrated the grand opening of its 11th distribution center in Nampa, Idaho, on August 24th. The 865,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility represents an investment of over $200 million and will bring 500 full-time jobs to the region. The facility is designed to meet rigorous LEED Silver standards and incorporates high-efficiency water practices, EV charging stations, low-energy lighting, advanced stormwater management, and a comprehensive recycling program. KNAPP OSR/ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval System) technology is used for automated storage and retrieval of products. The facility's 125 KNAPP units operate entirely on lithium-ion battery power. The Nampa distribution center will immediately serve 123 stores across nine states in its first year, with infrastructure designed to scale to serve more than 200 stores at full operational capacity. Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the U.S., serving recreational farmers, ranchers, homeowners, gardeners, pet enthusiasts, and all those who enjoy living Life Out Here.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 29, 2026 12:16 PM CT 3. Tennessee 4-H Celebrates National 4-H Week October 4 to 10
Tennessee 4-H Week has arrived, celebrating the youth development program of University of Tennessee Extension and Tennessee State University Extension from October 4th to 10th. The week recognizes the mission, accomplishments, and people involved with the program that serves over 157,000 youth across the state each year. The annual celebration includes events such as Proclamation Day, recognition of 4-H members, volunteers, families, and supporters, as well as opportunities for leadership, science, agriculture, and other project areas. Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed the week in Tennessee. To learn more about the program or to support it during Giving Tuesday, visit 4h.tennessee.edu or tn4hgive.org.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 29, 2026 12:14 PM CT 4. Supreme Court allows third-country deportations to continue ahead of December oral arguments
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of allowing the Trump administration to continue deporting illegal immigrants to third countries before its December oral arguments. The high court overturned a ruling by a federal district judge in Massachusetts that had blocked the administration's framework for quickly removing illegal immigrants with final removal orders to countries other than their country of origin. Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. The Supreme Court is also set to hear arguments in Department of Homeland Security v. DVDA. The unsigned order from the Supreme Court said the policy would remain in effect until a ruling following oral arguments is issued.
Read the full article. Washington Examiner, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:59 PM CT 5. Jury reaches verdict in case of Caleb Flynn, 'American Idol' singer charged with wife's murder
Caleb Flynn, a former music pastor and 'American Idol' singer, has been convicted of murdering his wife Ashley, who worked as a school teacher and volleyball coach. Flynn told 911 dispatchers that an intruder shot his wife multiple times in the head and also pleaded guilty to assault and tampering with evidence. In court, witnesses testified about text messages between Flynn and his former mistress, Alleigha Botner, in which Flynn discussed wanting his wife dead. The jury heard from 40 prosecution witnesses over eight days before returning a verdict of guilty. Flynn's attorney argued that being unfaithful doesn't equal murder and that there was no concrete evidence linking Flynn to the crime.
Read the full article. NBC News, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:36 PM CT 6. Nature's comeback: In aftermath of Power Dam Road Fire, deferred grazing helps revive forage
The Power Dam Road Fire ravaged 15,000 acres of land in White River, South Dakota in September 2024, leaving behind significant damage to equipment and fences. Despite this setback, nature is bouncing back thanks to a practice called deferred grazing. The NRCS can help producers with conservation planning after the fire or any other situation. A controlled, prescribed fire is an effective way to revive forage in a more sustainable manner than what happened during the wildfire. In Washington, D.C., South Dakota pork producers are not optimistic about a fix for Proposition 12 being included in the next farm bill.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:15 PM CT 7. From parlor to placings, Allen FFA does dairy
The Allen FFA Chapter in Iowa won the State Dairy Evaluation Career Development Event on September 5, despite having little experience or practice. Governor Jim Pillen of Nebraska signed two executive orders on Thursday to ease cost burdens for the state's agricultural producers. The specifics of these orders were not mentioned in the article.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 29, 2026 1:54 PM CT 8. Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) confirmed in Wisconsin cattle
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has confirmed the presence of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in non-lactating dairy cattle in Waukesha County. The virus is transmitted by biting flies and typically found in late summer and early fall when insects are present in higher numbers. Wisconsin previously reported a case of EHD in cattle in 2013, and the disease has also been confirmed in wild and captive deer in the region. Symptoms in cattle may include lameness, sores on the limbs, mouth, or teats, excess salivation, fever, or weight loss. If symptoms are observed, herd owners should work with their veterinarian to obtain a definitive diagnosis, as symptoms can be difficult to distinguish from some Foreign Animal Diseases without further testing. There is no treatment for EHD. State officials say humans are not at risk from EHD through insect bites or direct exposure to or consumption of meat or milk from EHD-infected cattle or deer.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Tue Sep 29, 2026 1:47 PM CT 9. Indiana lawmaker seeks dyed diesel relief for farmers as harvest fuel costs surge
An Indiana state representative is calling for relief for farmers facing high diesel costs during harvest season. Beau Baird proposes expanding access to red dyed diesel and reducing fuel taxes for farmers transporting harvested crops. He recently sent a letter to Governor Mike Braun and President Trump requesting 45 days of relief. Nebraska, Alabama, and Texas have already temporarily waived or suspended red dyed diesel restrictions. The national average for diesel is currently $6.45 per gallon, up from $3.68 last year.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Tue Sep 29, 2026 1:46 PM CT 10. A return to Stone Lab and a progress update for Ohio farmers
The latest research on Ohio farmers' impact on Lake Erie has been discussed in a special conversation between Ohio Field Leader Dusty Sonnenberg and Dr. Chris Winslow of Ohio State University's Stone Lab, two years after an initial talk. Ohio Field Leader is funded by Ohio soybean farmers and their checkoff. The conversation covered various topics related to Ohio farming, including the impact on water quality and ways to mitigate the issue. Winslow discussed ongoing research at Stone Lab aimed at addressing the challenges faced by Ohio farmers in producing crops while protecting Lake Erie.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:30 PM CT Around the WorldThe world news moving your markets this morning, the same read from Cal's desk that runs on your dashboard. Russia Rejects Black Sea Grain Truce as Ukraine Warns Exports Could Stay Critical for MonthsRussia has rejected all proposals for a new Black Sea grain deal with Ukraine, which accounts for roughly a quarter of global grain exports. The disruption in Black Sea trade is a major concern for global food markets. Ukraine's agricultural exports have already fallen sharply, while Russia's grain exports have also been impacted by attacks on its Black Sea ports. The latest export data shows that Russian and Ukrainian wheat exports are at roughly 2.7 million tons, which is 60% below last year and the lowest level since the 2010/11 season. The disruption could be difficult for other grain-producing regions to compensate for quickly. Agriculture generates more than half of Ukraine's export revenue, and around 30 million tons of agricultural products are expected to remain unexported from Ukraine this season due to the disruptions. Russia is also struggling with disruptions to its grain exports after Ukrainian forces began targeting Russian ports in July. Kyiv Post (via world wire). Read the full story.Large stocks and weak exports may push Russian wheat prices even lowerRussian wheat prices may decline further due to problems with grain exports through the Azov-Black Sea basin, resulting in a sharp accumulation of stocks. The head of ProZerno, Vladimir Petrichenko, estimates that grain carryover stocks in MY 2026/27 could reach 2834 mln tons. Grain exports in JulySeptember may total around 8.5 mln tons compared with 14 mln tons a year earlier. Alternative routes are unlikely to fully compensate for lost Black Sea capacity, and the domestic market will be unable to absorb such volumes due to weaker demand from the livestock sector and limited milling capacity. The accumulation of grain stocks is already putting additional pressure on prices. Petrichenko believes that the current level of around RUB 10/kg for Class 3 wheat including VAT, or about $118/t, is not yet the bottom and prices could fall further. A similar situation is seen in the flour market, where prices also continue to decline. Russia is trying to partly offset lower Black Sea exports through the Baltic, Far East, overland routes, and the Caspian Sea. However, even higher shipments to Iran will not be enough to fully absorb the surplus, and large stocks and weak exports may continue to pressure the domestic grain market throughout the season. UkrAgroConsult (via world wire). Read the full story.Local ObituariesNo local obituaries for your area in today's papers. 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 SafetyWear a helmet on the ATV and side-by-side, and do not carry a passenger on a single-rider machine. ATV rollovers and ejections are a leading cause of farm head injuries. Match the machine size to the rider, and slow down on hills and turns. Source: Consumer Product Safety Commission; National Ag Safety Database. Cal The Coffee ShopToday in Farm History, Civilian Conservation Corps 1933On March 31, 1933, FDR signed the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) into law. Over its nine years the CCC planted 3 billion trees, built 800 state parks, and ran soil-erosion projects on thousands of farms. Many Midwest farm shelterbelts standing today were planted by CCC crews. Source: National Park Service CCC archive; USDA Forest Service history. [CAL'S QUIZ]
About how long did Stephen Babcock's 1890 butterfat test take to run on a milk sample?
(a) Five seconds
(b) Five minutes
(c) Five hours
(d) Five days
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
The farmer told the fertilizer dealer the price was too high. The dealer said, "It's been a tough year for me too." The farmer said, "That's funny, your new boat looks just like the high price."
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(b) Five minutes. The simple, cheap chemical test let creameries pay dairy farmers honestly by butterfat, the single most important commercial advance in U.S. dairy history. Source: University of Wisconsin archives; USDA dairy history.
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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.