Jim and Karen Taphorn hoped their son would take over their Kansas farm. He tried but plunging grain prices forced him out and the Taphorns decided to retire and sell their equipment at an auction in February.

Trade war and sagging prices push out U.S. farmers

A decade ago, young people were flocking back to the farm — but now they, and their parents, are leaving

A decade ago, young people were flocking back to the farm — but now they, and their parents, are leaving

Reading Time: 5 minutes Shuffling across his frozen fields, farmer Jim Taphorn hunched his shoulders against the wind and squinted at the auctioneer standing next to his tractors. After a fifth harvest with low grain prices, made worse last fall by the U.S.-China trade war, the 68-year-old and his family were calling it quits. Farming also was taking a physical toll […] Read more



(Photo courtesy United Soybean Board)

U.S. confirms China soybean purchase, but no clarity over more sales

Chicago/Washington | Reuters — U.S. government officials on Thursday hailed China’s first meager purchase of U.S. soybeans since its trade war with the United States began in July and said they hoped for, but could not guarantee, more to come. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced private sales of 1.13 million tonnes of U.S. […] Read more






(Scott Bauer photo courtesy ARS/USDA)

Market analysts watch for surging soybeans to peak

CNS Canada — As soybeans climb the charts and help float other commodities such as canola, one market watcher says the prime selling opportunity for farmers could pass soon, as bearish factors come into play. The president of Calgary-based ProMarket Communications, Errol Anderson, said large funds are the main force that has lifted Chicago soybeans […] Read more