For Matthew Harfmann, Granger, Indiana (St. Joseph County) Tuesday, September 29, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk.
Weather, Dodge County, MN
What this means for today: Rain showers likely after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Wind 0 to 8 mph through the day (see the hour by hour table below). Chance of precipitation is 70%. 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. Wind this morning at your nearest weather station was about 15 mph. Rain WindowWe 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)
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.
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 2026-09-29.
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 slipped about 1 cents; and beans added about 7 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 Morning Ag Clips: THRYV Institute Donates Over 2,500 Lake Bonneville Soil-Enhancing Mineral Kits at the Utah State Fair. 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 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. THRYV Institute Donates Over 2,500 Lake Bonneville Soil-Enhancing Mineral Kits at the Utah State Fair
The THRYV Institute donated over 2,500 Lake Bonneville soil-enhancing amendment kits at the Utah State Fair this week. The kits treat roughly 200 square feet for a full season and use minerals from ancient Lake Bonneville marine deposits and Great Salt Lake brine to improve soil nutrient density. Recipients were encouraged to register their kits at thryv.institute, which unlocks step-by-step application instructions and growing guidance. The program is part of the TC Alliance Foundation's ongoing land restoration work with Indigenous nations. American farmers are expected to plant several million fewer acres of corn in 2026 due to disruptions in fertilizer delivery caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The American Farmland Trust published a Batch and Grow Roadmap, a step-by-step guide to streamline cover crop adoption across the Midwest. Researchers from the Sydney Institute of Agriculture proposed the 3N method, which aims to improve soil health, nutrient cycling, and biodiversity in agricultural systems.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:42 PM CT 2. Lean Hogs
1. Lean hog futures closed down 17 to 97 cents on Friday, as contracts were lower than the previous day. 2. The hog market had a strong start to the week after reaching a new contract low in December and finally making a higher daily high for the first time this year. 3. Austin Schroeder of Barchart.com said that this trend was due to declining demand for pork products from China, as well as rising production costs. 4. The article also mentions David Hoffmann, the majority shareholder of a Lee Enterprises newspaper, who has invested in the hog market through his company's digital platform.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 29, 2026 4:32 PM CT 3. A Farm Owner's Guide to Organizing Employee Payroll Documents
1. A farm owner's payroll management involves maintaining employee records, wages, tax information, and other documents throughout the year. Proper recordkeeping helps answer questions, prepare tax forms, review payment history, and keep important information accessible. A practical document management system is achievable without being complicated, with consistent naming, secure storage, and regular recordkeeping. 2. Identify the records needed for employees, including identification information, tax withholding forms, time records, pay rates, wage calculations, pay stubs, payroll summaries, and year-end tax forms. Use a checklist to prevent important records from being overlooked, making onboarding new employees easier. 3. Separate documents needed throughout the year from those primarily used for year-end reporting. Each employee should have an organized payroll folder containing their associated records, with digital folders arranged using a consistent structure such as employee name, year, and document type. This reduces the risk of mixing records and makes it easier to review an individual's payroll history. 4. Pay records should clearly show how wages were calculated. Use payroll software or other digital tools to produce consistent documentation for each pay period, with the same format making documents easier to compare. Establish a regular process for reviewing payroll records before payments are finalized and create a file naming convention that identifies employees, periods, and document types for simplicity in recordkeeping.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:32 PM CT 4. Corn could offer clues to China's $17 billion ag purchase pledge
In summary: An ag economist is watching for signs that China is fulfilling its $17 billion non-soybean agricultural purchase commitment. China has been ramping up corn purchases due to production challenges, and corn and corn products are what's left when beef, cotton, pork, and soybeans are excluded. A new "30-for-30" trade framework was discussed in last week's meeting, which identifies about $30 billion in goods from the U.S. and China that could receive more favorable tariff treatment, including several agricultural products like corn, beef, and cotton. The U.S. list includes several ag products, indicating that trade negotiations may hint at fulfilling the $17 billion non-soybean commitment. Despite this, the economist is not expecting much additional progress as trade negotiations continue through the end of the year.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Tue Sep 29, 2026 4:09 PM CT 5. Cattle industry continues to navigate a volatile market
The cattle market is experiencing volatility due to outside influences, including recent ICE raids on packing plants in Dodge City. This disrupted the supply chain and caused problems for producers. Late last week, several cattle industry organizations expressed concern about the impact of these operations on the legal, documented, and skilled workers who keep the supply chain moving. According to the USDA, cattle slaughter was down 10,000 on Monday and 14,000 on Friday. This decline in production can negatively affect profitability for producers.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Tue Sep 29, 2026 3:58 PM CT 6. USDA Boosting Investment in Regenerative Pilot Program
The USDA has announced increased financial assistance for its Regenerative Pilot Program, from $700 million to $1 billion in fiscal year 2027. This program aims to help farmers adopt conservation systems that improve soil health, water quality, and long-term farm resilience. Producers can now apply for assistance with regenerative practices. Additionally, the program is being improved by using the NRCS's locally led conservation model to allow State Technical Advisory Committees to add conservation practices that reflect local resource concerns, production systems, and producer needs. The initiative highlights USDA's commitment to putting farmers first and advancing the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) agenda by building a healthier, more resilient food system. Farmers and ranchers interested in regenerative agriculture are encouraged to apply through their local NRCS Service Center by their state's ranking dates for fiscal year 2027 funding consideration.
Read the full article. No-Till Farmer, Tue Sep 29, 2026 2:52 PM CT 7. During Senate hearing, Jack Smith defends criminal investigations of Trump
Jack Smith, former special counsel, defended his criminal investigations against Trump during a Senate hearing. Smith led probes into Trump's election interference efforts and alleged mishandling of classified documents. Ali Rogin, a Justice correspondent for PBS News Hour, reported on the proceedings. Rogin has received numerous awards for his work covering significant events in American politics and worldwide issues.
Read the full article. PBS NewsHour, Tue Sep 29, 2026 5:50 PM CT 8. Hog market closes moderately higher
The hog market in Iowa experienced a slight increase, extending gains past new contract lows. The cutout price jumped, prompting profit-taking by shorts. However, cash and index weakness must end before a significant correction of the downtrend since May can occur, according to The Hightower Report. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have been closely monitoring the situation, with the latter issuing a temporary suspension of pork exports to China.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Tue Sep 29, 2026 4:31 PM CT 9. 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, John Deere Model D 1923In March 1923, John Deere released the Model D tractor at Waterloo, Iowa. It stayed in production until 1953, the longest production run of any U.S. farm tractor model. About 160,000 Model Ds were built, and you can still find them running at antique tractor shows today. Source: Deere & Company corporate archive; Smithsonian National Museum of American History. [CAL'S QUIZ]
The USDA map that tells you which plants survive your winter is called what?
(a) The Plant Hardiness Zone map
(b) The Soil Survey
(c) The Drought Monitor
(d) The Crop Calendar
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
The grandfather wore his old FFA jacket to the banquet. It still fit at the shoulders. It didn't fit at the waist. He said, "That's biology. Not regret."
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(a) The Plant Hardiness Zone map. The USDA map is based on the average lowest winter temperatures for your area. Source: USDA.
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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.