The Prairie Star

Wheat prices trend slightly lower as year-end nears

As the holiday season and the end of year approaches and markets tend to slow, spring wheat prices have also slowed slightly.

Corn sees divergence between cash, futures

The corn market may not be the strongest among the commodities, but it may be the most interesting.

Free publication focuses on animal agriculture, zoonoses, more

An important publication has been published by the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).

‘Cowgirls Over Coffee’ provides support for rural women

Life as a farmer or rancher in America today is filled with a number of challenges as the timeless elements of weather, markets, and distance are combined with new pressures. As financial margins tighten, women often find themselves filling in as ranch hands, administrators, and bookkeepers.…

Using offer to sell is a win-win for farmers, elevators

Jason Wheeler is a grain merchandising specialist at White Commercial. He likes the idea of farmers using offer to sell contracts with their elevators.

With cattle production, always think one season ahead

CowCalving is just around the corner, so it’s time for cow/calf producers to think about rebreeding and how calving time affects it.

Montana strong in international trade

High-quality genetics and agriculture products have brought over $1.5 million in international trade to Montana in 2022, a figure that is expected to grow in the next year, according to the Montana Department of Agriculture (MDA).

Corn market quiet with harvest wrapping up

There hasn’t been a lot of news or price movement in the corn market in recent weeks as producers have been busy wrapping up the 2022 harvest.

Hylio improves on ‘flying tractors’ with the AgroDrone

Hylio continues to develop its “flying tractors,” and has worked at making its crop spraying drone, called the AgroDrone, easier to operate, more efficient, and less expensive than a row crop sprayer or plane.

Energy prices continue to impact the economy

With gasoline and natural gas prices already high, ag economists are watching closely for what might happen in the coming months if the U.S. enters a recession.

Stock dogs have successful run at NILE show

The Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) in Billings, Mont., held its first stock dog trials on Oct.17-18, a new feature that drew teams from across the western United States.

Vilsack explains debt relief under Inflation Reduction Act

Farmers who are behind in paying back USDA farm loans may qualify for some loan forgiveness under the Inflation Reduction Act.

Broadus saddle maker to offer classes teaching leatherwork skills

A popular Montana saddle maker will soon begin offering classes from his shop in Broadus, Mont., teaching skills from carving leather to making chinks, chaps, and saddles.

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Grateful For Those Keeping Food On Our Tables

Millers receive much-needed precipitation in late October

WILLISTON, N.D. – After a long stretch of dry conditions, Floyd Miller, who farms with his son, Casey, and brother, Rodney, was glad to see some precipitation fall on Oct. 23 before the ground freezes for winter.

Replacement heifer synchronization, cowherd management seminar in Dickinson

DICKINSON, N.D. – Producers, students, and others interested in heifer synchronization and management decisions to improve reproductive performance in the cowherd, among other topics on cow reproduction, will want to attend an upcoming seminar with several expert speakers.The seminar will be…

US canola cruse pace rebounds in late October

The U.S. is ramping up canola crushing with strong demand for vegetable oils. In looking at the U.S. canola crush pace, USDA’s latest Oils & Fats Report shows that 33 percent more canola has been crushed in the current crop year compared to last year. In August, 175,070 tons have been pr…

Dung beetles – openers of the cow pie

“Dung beetles are so important because they’re the recyclers.”

Factors causing high commodity prices also inch food prices higher

Grocery store prices are at least 10 percent higher than a year ago. That’s quite an increase compared with 2010-20 when food prices only increased by 1.7 percent annually.

Fall work starts at Miller farm after frost

WILLISTON, N.D. – With harvest in the books for another year, the Millers have turned their attention to fall work as dropping temperatures on Oct. 6 resulted in a hard frost across their farm fields.

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The Prairie Star Producer Reports

US canola production value likely to exceed $1 billion

The USDA, in its Oct. 12 Crop Production Report, released record U.S. canola production figures of 3.95 billion pounds, up 45 percent from 2.72 billion pounds last year. The total value of U.S. canola production will likely exceed $1 billion for the first time based off of this nearly 4 bill…