For Matthew Harfmann, Granger, Indiana (St. Joseph County) Monday, October 5, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk.
Weather, Dodge County, MN
What this means for today: Sunny, with a high near 69. Wind 0 to 10 mph through the day (see the hour by hour table below). 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 8 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 2026-10-05.
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 2026-10-05.
Grain and Livestock, corn, soybeans, wheat, cattleCal's Grain Call: Price a portion of 40,500 bu corn at $4.77/bu via Crystal Valley, Mantorville Branch (a recommendation, see the factors).Corn: Your 2025 bin corn has rolled to the December board, now its nearby contract, in October. 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 2 cents. Recent trend, over the last 5 sessions, corn has chopped sideways 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: How Big U.S. Farms Are Changing the Future of Agriculture. 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 0.8 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, 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 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. Lean Hogs
The hog market saw a moderate increase in price after COT data revealed a new record high in managed money net short. This likely contributed to the bounce observed over the past two sessions. However, if the market surpasses the September 22 high of 71.62 on December, short covering could become more aggressive. Additionally, the strengthening U.S. dollar and a decreasing lean hog index are putting additional pressure on the market.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Mon Oct 5, 2026 5:08 PM CT 2. Signs Your Ice Machine Should Be Checked Before It Stops Working
Ice machines are crucial equipment in many businesses and can quickly become invisible until something goes wrong. If you notice your ice machine making smaller cubes, taking longer to cycle, leaking water, or sounding different, it's time to get Oahu support from commercial refrigeration experts. These signs could indicate that the machine needs maintenance or repair before a complete shutdown at the worst possible moment. Ice quality can also give useful clues about potential problems, and catching them early is essential for avoiding downtime. Regular cleaning and filter replacement can help prevent these issues, but a sudden change should still be investigated. If your ice machine is repeatedly turning on and off, pausing for long periods, or shutting down without an obvious reason, it may be responding to a control, temperature, sensor, electrical, or refrigeration issue. Contact the experts to get timely assistance and keep your business running smoothly.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Mon Oct 5, 2026 5:37 PM CT 3. Bulls hold edge
Today's low is at the bottom end of the range since the gap higher on December live cattle on Sept. 21. The bulls hold the edge as long as that gap remains. The cattle complex closed weak, with feeders leading the decline. The Hightower Report is surprised by the weakness in feeders.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Mon Oct 5, 2026 5:07 PM CT 4. Early Harvest Reports Show Respectable Yields
Early reports from multiple operations show soybean yields running slightly above average with good moisture between 12% and 14%, and corn looking respectable too. Several farmers note they are about halfway through bean harvest, with one picking up a half inch of rain Friday that forced a short pause before getting back into the fields. A few concerns are surfacing, including some off-colored or discolored beans, a little ear mold, and even the first sighting of tar spot, though it showed up so late it likely won't matter much. With favorable weather forecast for the next couple weeks and fungicide applied across many acres, growers are optimistic about finishing soybeans soon and rolling into corn.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Mon Oct 5, 2026 2:45 PM CT 5. Former 'American Idol' contestant sentenced to life in prison without parole for wife's murder
Former 'American Idol' contestant Caleb Flynn was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of his wife, Ashley Flynn. The sentence came after a trial where Flynn maintained his innocence, but was convicted based on evidence presented by the prosecution. NBC News reports on the emotional response of Flynn's children as they react to the verdict.
Read the full article. NBC News, Mon Oct 5, 2026 4:44 PM CT 6. How Big U.S. Farms Are Changing the Future of Agriculture
NEW YORK: Farming has transformed in recent years, with large-scale operations using advanced technology to improve efficiency and productivity. This includes satellites, GPS, drones, sensors, and software to observe fields, manage water and fertilizer, automate equipment, and optimize supply chain logistics. The article highlights the work of Stefan Soloviev's agricultural operation in Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico, which utilizes data-based farming practices, crop rotation, drought-resistant crops, and transportation to manage large areas of farmland. This new approach to farming is reshaping the future of U.S. agriculture, with potential for further advancements in AI, automation, and connected equipment.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Mon Oct 5, 2026 5:46 PM CT 7. Missouri celebrates Pork Month, highlights $2.2 billion hog industry
Missouri celebrates Pork Month and highlights its $2.2 billion hog industry. Missouri Ag Director Chris Chinn presented a proclamation from Governor Mike Kehoe to the Missouri Pork Association leadership at an event in Hermann on Monday. The state ranks seventh in hog production in the US, with 3.3 million head of hogs that contribute nearly $2.2 billion to the economy.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Mon Oct 5, 2026 3:59 PM CT 8. Michigan 4-H Beyond Ready campaign tops 60% of $12 million goal
The Michigan 4-H Foundation has surpassed the halfway mark of its $12 million capital campaign, according to Director Abbey Miller. The Beyond Ready campaign, launched by the Foundation, focuses on endowment investments, hands-on learning, and emerging needs. The Hal and Jean Glassen 4-H Shooting Sports Endowment is one of over 100 different endowments managed by the Foundation. Donations to the Michigan 4-H Shooting Sports Program will be matched by the Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation, up to $10,000 annually. The Beyond Ready campaign will soon include county matching challenges to double funding for local programs serving nearly 140,000 young people across Michigan.
Read the full article. Brownfield Ag News, Mon Oct 5, 2026 3:57 PM CT 9. October Brings Gradual Harvest Progress for Ohio Farmers
Ohio farmers are making gradual harvest progress as corn and soybean maturity advances across the state, though activity for both crops is still trailing the five-year average pace. The USDA reports that there were 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 4. Mature corn for the state is at 53%, above last week's 48% but below the 70% average. Corn harvested is at 6%, below the 12% average. Ohio corn condition was rated 65% good to excellent, with 52% good and 13% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves have reached 65%, ahead of last week's 59% but behind the 88% five-year average. Soybeans that have been harvested are at 10% below the 22% average. Ohio soybean condition was rated 69% good to excellent, with 56% good and 13% excellent. Winter wheat planted is at 2%, behind the five-year average of 24%. Soil moisture has increased as heavy rainfall has covered most of the state, making topsoil moisture rated at 61% adequate and 30% surplus, while subsoil moisture was also 77% adequate and 15% surplus.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Mon Oct 5, 2026 3:27 PM CT 10. North Dakota moves to revoke license of cattle broker involved in Agridime scheme
Taylor Bang, a cattle broker from Killdeer, North Dakota, pleaded guilty on September 9, 2026, to conspiracy to commit wire fraud tied to the Agridime operation that federal investigators shut down back in December 2023. Bang had faced eight counts of wire fraud, one conspiracy count, and one money laundering count, while North Dakota was named among the hardest hit states for victims and losses. Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring responded on September 24 with a cease and desist order against Bang and Taylor Bang Cattle Sales LLC, barring them from all livestock dealer activity. A hearing is set for October 28 at 10 a.m. in Bismarck, though Bang can choose to waive it, a reminder of how fraud schemes can reach deep into farm country and the cattle trade.
Read the full article. AgWeek, Mon Oct 5, 2026 2:55 PM CT 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 SafetyMake your equipment seen on the road. A clean slow-moving-vehicle (SMV) emblem, working flashers, and reflective tape cut rear-end collisions. Most farm road crashes are a car hitting equipment from behind in low light, dawn and dusk are the worst. Source: National Ag Safety Database; ASABE SMV emblem standard. Cal The Coffee ShopToday in Farm History, Dust Bowl peak 1934On May 11, 1934, a single dust storm carried 350 million tons of topsoil from the Great Plains to the East Coast, so much that dust fell on ships 300 miles off Boston. The Dust Bowl years (1930-1936) cut Great Plains farm income by 60%. The Soil Conservation Service (today NRCS) was founded in 1935 as a direct response. Source: USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service history archive. [CAL'S QUIZ]
A bushel of soybeans is standardized at what weight?
(a) 60 pounds
(b) 56 pounds
(c) 50 pounds
(d) 64 pounds
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
Why did the hen sign up with the local co op? She heard they ran a solid egg conomy.
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(a) 60 pounds. Soybeans and wheat both weigh 60 pounds to the bushel, while corn comes in at 56. Source: USDA.
Your data stays yours. We sell nothing you buy. Your farm data is never sold, shared, or used to train outside models. It lives on hardware we control, not the public cloud. Loyalty in writing.
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.