For Mark Matuska, Milford, Iowa (Dickinson County) Monday, July 27, 2026. Filed by The MI Farm AI Desk. Weather, Dickinson County, IA
What this means for today: Areas of smoke after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 94. North northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. 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. Spray WindowSpray window is MARGINAL today. Wind at your nearest weather station is about 0 mph right now, gusting 0 (the hour-by-hour table above is the NWS forecast, which can read lower). If you go, check your product label first, keep the boom low and the speed down, and watch your gusts and any ground-level inversion. Rain WindowNo rain at your field in the past 24 hours. 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. Grain and Livestock, corn, soybeans, wheat, cattleFutures board (front month): corn Dec 2026 $4.7375/bu (+0.0950, +2.05%); soybeans Nov 2026 $12.1900/bu (-0.2900, -2.32%). Chicago board, as of 2026-07-27.
Source: Chicago Board of Trade. Cal's Market ReadOvernight, corn slipped about 14 cents; and beans slipped about 36 cents. Recent trend, over the last 5 sessions, corn has eased 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 Hoosier Ag Today: USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Cattle Ports Amid Strict New World Screwworm Safeguards. 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 0.3 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. Classic Beef Kabobs recipe
Studios Shopping Shop Local Newsletters Mobile Apps Advertise with Us Ag Publications Ag Update Agri-View Cattle Seller Farm & Ranch Guide Farm & Ranch Network Illinois Farmer Today Iowa Farmer Today Livestock Roundup Midwest Marketer Midwest Messenger Midwest Messenger Kansas Missouri Farmer Today The Prairie Star Tri-State Neighbor Facebook Twitter 2026 Lee Enterprises Terms of Service | Privacy Policy Read Today's E-edition Log In Welcome, Guest My Subscription See Benefits Members Only, > Help Center My Account Dashboard Profile Saved items Logout North Dakota Iowa Illinois Missouri Nebraska Montana South Dakota Wisconsin 87 Fair Share This Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Classic Beef Kabobs recipe Share this Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Javascript is required to use this website. Classic Beef Kabobs recipe Jul 26, 2026 37 mins ago Prefer us on Google AgUpdate as a preferred news source to see more of our stories on Google." data-html="true" data-toggle="source-popover" data-placement="top" role="button" data-trigger="focus"
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Sun Jul 26, 2026 11:09 PM CT 2. USDA Announces Phased Reopening of Southern Cattle Ports Amid Strict New World Screwworm Safeguards
Department of Agriculture has announced a coordinated, phased reopening of southern cattle ports of entry. While Agriculture Secretary Rollins previously resisted calls to rush open the border, mounting biosecurity milestones in specific northern Mexican states ultimately shifted the calculus. These ports will follow only after USDA evaluates the success of the initial Douglas opening, ongoing surveillance results, and potential risk shifts. For more details regarding the USDA's ongoing New World screwworm response and compliance guidelines, producers can visit the USDA APHIS Stop Screwworm Resource Page .
Read the full article. Hoosier Ag Today, Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:10 PM CT 3. U.S. growers face cost challenges
corn growers are the most productive farmers in the world, but even extremely productive farms can lose ground globally when they are forced to compete from a more-costly position. The findings show that U.S. agriculture, rural economies and the long-term strength of U.S. Visit ncga.com for more information.
Read the full article. Tri-State Neighbor, Mon Jul 27, 2026 1:00 AM CT 4. Washington Week Ahead: U.S.-Brazil ties and farmer aid are in question
A host of actions by the Trump administration are sure to keep trade in the forefront of discussions in the nation's capital. That pushes demand toward U.S. On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., faces renewed calls from President Donald Trump to scrap the filibuster, which effectively sets a 60-vote threshold for passing most legislation. 3 midterm elections, are a bill to allow voluntary, year-round access to higher ethanol-fuel blends, known as E15; a revamp of farm labor laws; and a new farm bill to address key ag policy, like USDA loan limits, that haven't been updated since 2018.
Read the full article. Agri-Pulse, Sun Jul 26, 2026 6:52 PM CT 5. Calf adoption program opens 4-H opportunities
Solo cups aren't just for summer barbecues. They're also something to look for in a cattle herd.
Read the full article. Iowa Farmer Today, Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:00 PM CT 6. Michigan Christmas Tree Growers Honored with 2026 MCTA Growers Hall of Fame Award
The honor recognizes their decades of innovation, leadership, and dedication to the state's Christmas tree industry. John passed away at age 95, leaving behind his wife of decades, Viola, four childrenall proud MSU graduatesand an enduring agricultural legacy. Lee has been a great example of how hard work, vision, and strong character can grow a successful business that can last for generations. Armed Forces participated in the event.
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Mon Jul 27, 2026 2:49 AM CT 7. Ohio Soybean Association Annual Hometown Tour Dates
The Hometown Tour will follow OSA to farms and agricultural businesses across the state, where farmers can gather to learn about operating with tight margins, methods to grow your yields, and more. Reinhard Farms Bucyrus, OH Wednesday, August 13 Fayette County (partnership with Ohio Ag Net and Ohio's Country Journal's Crop Tour) 4:30 to 7:45 p.m. This in-depth class will better prepare participants for the [...] COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio AgriBusiness Association and Ohio State Extension will partner to hold the Farm Science Review Agronomy College on Sept. 2026 Dates and Locations: June 4 McComb High School, 328 Todd St., McComb, [...]
Read the full article. Morning Ag Clips, Mon Jul 27, 2026 2:34 AM CT 8. Ohio Ag Net Podcast, Ep. 454, Expanding Support for Ohio State Fair youth
On this Ohio Ag Net Podcast, powered by Ohio Corn and Wheat, learn why this type of investment is important for Farm Credit Mid-America, livestock exhibitors and Ohio agriculture as a whole from Bob Siegel, FCMA Regional Vice President of Agricultural Lending Plus, high-oleic soybeans are becoming more popular for use in dairy rations. Dairy nutritionist Corwin Holtz talks about the science behind the use of HO beans to feed dairy cows.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Sun Jul 26, 2026 2:45 PM CT 9. Op-ed: The investments of imAGine Ag
From the seeds we plant in early spring for a fall harvest to the long-term planning of who will take over the farm or business after us, there is always a focus on tomorrow. Visitors will experience what it takes to grow a crop through changing seasons, discover how precision technology helps farmers protect their fields, learn how weather influences decisions made on the farm, and gain a better understanding of the care and time farmers give our animals and natural resources everyday. In addition to imAGine Ag, the Ohio Agriculture Center will include the Taste of Ohio Cafe, Ohio Proud Showcase, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association Animal Life & Learning Center, and horticulture exhibits and competitions. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Ohio's Country Journal or Ohio Ag Net or its staff.
Read the full article. Ohio Country Journal, Sun Jul 26, 2026 2:43 PM CT 10. Indiana Among Nation's Deadliest States for Farm Confined Space Accidents, Purdue Report Warns
According to the newly released 2025 Summary of U.S. "OSHA Regions 5 and 7 continue to account for approximately 67.7% of all documented agricultural confined space-related incidents," Field notes. "We are not able to identify all cases that potentially occur due to lack of reporting requirements and dependency on local media reports." Beyond the devastating emotional toll on rural communities, the financial and legal consequences for agricultural employers failing to secure workplaces are skyrocketing. We need all the help we can get."
Read the full article. Hoosier Ag Today, Sun Jul 26, 2026 12:20 PM CT 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 SafetyIn cold, wet field work, watch for frostbite on fingers, ears, and nose and for the early shivering of hypothermia. Dress in layers you can shed, keep a dry change in the cab, and warm up before judgment and grip start to fade. Source: OSHA cold stress guidance; National Ag Safety Database. Cal Local ObituariesWe note the passing of neighbors across your area, gathered from the local papers this morning. Our thoughts are with their families. Duane Godfredsen, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary. Greg 'Al' Tolan, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary. Betty Jane Brandt, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary. Amy Peterson, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary. Doris Rouse, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary. Edda Minter, Dickinson County News obituaries. Read the full obituary.The Coffee ShopToday in Farm History, Eli Whitney interchangeable parts 1798In 1798, Eli Whitney won a U.S. government contract for 10,000 muskets built with interchangeable parts. The principle, identical parts made by machine, assembled by less-skilled labor, became the foundation of the McCormick reaper factory (1847), the Deere plow works (1855), and every farm-equipment factory since. Source: Smithsonian National Museum of American History; U.S. Patent Office. [CAL'S QUIZ]
The 1935 Federal Surplus Commodities Corporation eventually became which two modern federal programs?
(a) NRCS and EQIP
(b) School lunch and SNAP
(c) CRP and EQIP
(d) USDA and FDA
Answer at the bottom of the Brief. [CAL'S JOKE]
The father-in-law gave gardening advice to the farmer's wife. She listened politely. Later she told the farmer, "He grew tomatoes for fifty years. I'll listen." The farmer said, "That's smarter than how I listen to him."
The MI Farm AI Desk
Cal "Corn-Bread" Halvorsen, your AI Agronomist and Editor in Chief Quiz Answer(b) School lunch (1946) and SNAP. Started October 4, 1935, it bought surplus farm products and donated them to school lunch and relief programs, the original federal food-aid line. Farm price support and child nutrition have been linked ever since. Source: USDA Food and Nutrition Service 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.