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👉 What’s Happening: Despite tight credit and shaky economic signals, farmland values across the Midwest continue to hold firm. In Q1 2025, Minnesota land values rose 3%, with even sharper gains in the Dakotas. That’s according to new data from the Chicago Fed and Farm Progress.
✅ Why It Matters: Even in a high-interest-rate climate, soil that’s managed well is holding its value—and in some cases, gaining ground.
👉 Your Move: Treat your soil like your most valuable asset and it will keep giving back. Litter-based fertility, cover crops, and reduced passes don’t just grow this year’s yield—they protect your land’s long-term value.
OTHER STORIES
Big Foundations Are Backing Soil—Even if the Feds Aren’t
👉 What’s Happening: With over $1 billion in USDA funding cuts freezing sustainability programs, the private sector is stepping in. The Rockefeller Foundation’s new TransCap Initiative aims to fund regenerative ag across the Midwest—focusing on soil health, carbon tracking, and input efficiency.
✅ Why It Matters: This isn’t political. It’s financial. The folks with capital are following the biology, and the ROI.
👉 Your Move: If you’re already using sustainable practices—keep tabs on this. You likely have a head start on eligibility for these new private-sector dollars. Get in touch with sales to help you organize your records to unlock new revenue streams when they’re available.
Rockefeller Foundation
No‑Till’s Hidden Price Tag
👉 What’s Happening: New reports show that no‑till fields are still driving one-third of national pesticide use. Chemical resistance is growing, prices are up, and the “reduced input” promise just isn’t panning out for many operations.
✅ Why It Matters: No‑till without biology is just slower erosion. And relying on more chemistry doesn’t cut your costs—it just changes which bucket the money’s going into.
👉 Your Move: Take back control. Integrating poultry litter and cover crops gets biology working for you—cutting your dependence on herbicides and reducing your risk long-term. You’ve still got time this season to course-correct.
✅ WHY IT MATTERS: With input prices up and margins tight, fine-tuning fertilizer plans can protect profitability.
THE FIELDS REPORT
JULY: The heat’s on, storms are lurking, and your crops are sweating.
🌱 Seeding Window: Soil temps and moisture are on point for cover crop establishment—get it in while the weather holds.
CBOT NUMBERS
CORN
DEC ’25: $4.19 ¼ | MAR ’26: $4.35 ½
Summary: Corn futures slipped slightly, with traders awaiting full harvest pace and yield data. Mild export strength offers some floor, but technicals are driving direction.
Outlook: Watch for basis swings as elevators fill. Protect profitable bushels now, especially if local bids are strong.
SOYBEAN
NOV ’25: $10.21 ¼ | JAN ’26: $10.37 ¼
Summary: Soybeans edged lower on technical selling, despite ongoing support from crush demand and oil markets.
Outlook: Steady fundamentals, but global demand remains a wildcard. Layer in sales before full harvest pressure kicks in.
WHEAT
DEC ’25: $5.05 ¼ | MAR ’26: $5.23 ¼
Summary: Wheat continued its slow grind lower, pressured by global supplies and weak technical momentum.
Outlook: If your local basis is holding firm, now might be the time to move wheat ahead of winter storage pressure.
Source: AgWeb Futures (as of 10/07/25)
EVENTS
Electric Farm Equipment Grants – Public Input Session #1
Oct 15, 2025 | 📍 Statewide / policy meeting
Stakeholder meeting on grants for electrified farm gear.
More info.
Worker Protection Standard: How to Comply
Oct 20, 2025 | 📍 Minnesota
Compliance workshop for WPS rules.
More info.
Midwest Climate Resilience Conference
Oct 20–22, 2025 | 📍 Milwaukee, WI
Topics: Soil health, climate adaptation strategies in ag.
Electric Farm Equipment Grants – Public Input Session #2
Oct 29, 2025 | 📍 Minnesota
Continuation of stakeholder input.
Minnesota AgriGrowth Fall Summit
Oct 30, 2025 | 📍 St. Louis Park, MN
Theme: Building a stronger agriculture & food economy in Minnesota
More info.