Articles by John Dobberstein

Where is Our Generation’s 'Farm Aid'?

By John Dobberstein posted on November 26, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

Our government hasn’t adequately adapted to the changing realities of global trade. There needs to be more serious discussion in Washington about what practices our government chooses to incentivize.

Farm Bill Extension Draws Mixed Reviews

By John Dobberstein posted on November 24, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

The package of spending bills fully funds the USDA for fiscal year 2026 and includes the extension of farm programs and authorities, not covered in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, that were set to expire on Dec. 31.

Federal Reserve Drops Benchmark Interest Rate Again

By John Dobberstein posted on October 29, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday voted to drop the benchmark interest rate by a quarter point as the U.S. continues to struggle with inflation, a flagging labor market and a government shutdown.

Government Shutdown

USDA to Resume Farmer Aid Programs During Shutdown

By John Dobberstein posted on October 22, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

In a post on X, Rollins said the USDA will re-open county offices and resume Farm Service Agency core operations, including critical services for farm loan processing, ARC/PLC payments and other programs.

Mortgaging the Future with Plowing Isn’t the Answer

By John Dobberstein posted on October 6, 2025 | Posted in Soil Health

Prices or markets could change next year, when you’ll want to be ready for a strong recovery. Damaging your soils will take a much longer time to fix.

Corteva Breakup

Evolving Technology, Market Needs Driving Corteva Split-up

By John Dobberstein posted on October 2, 2025 | Posted in Crop Protection

New Corteva, SpinCo creation addresses emerging “open source” solutions and advanced breeding potential in the agricultural market, says Corteva CEO Chuck Magro

Ag Policy & Programs

Farmer Aid & Support at Risk with Government Shutdown

By John Dobberstein posted on October 1, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs

The USDA posted its “shutdown plan” early Wednesday detailing how staffing, payments and programs at the massive agency will be affected and what operations will grind to a halt until a budget agreement can be reached in Congress.

Fall-Seeded Soybeans: Time Savings & Yield Increase?

Beck’s Hybrids has been studying a fall soybean system for the last 2 seasons & has noted potential advantages by planting a portion of the bean crop in October, November or even December

By John Dobberstein posted on September 29, 2025 | Posted in Seeding & Planting

With the average U.S. soybean yields not moving much in the last decade and weather shenanigans making planting decisions more difficult, growers might consider what fall-seeded soybeans have to offer to improve economics and time management.

Precision Ag Provides Major Payoff for Growers: Study

By John Dobberstein posted on September 9, 2025 | Posted in Equipment, Precision Agriculture

An updated study from ag industry stakeholders provides quantifiable evidence of how farmers using precision ag technologies are achieving significant gains in productivity, input efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

Draft MAHA Report Embraces Conservation Agriculture, Doesn’t Target Pesticides

By John Dobberstein posted on August 25, 2025 | Posted in Agriculture Policy & Programs, Crop Protection, Soil Health

But the "Making Children Healthy Again" report does direct the EPA, USDA and other federal agencies to clear the way for increased adoption of conservation agriculture as a means to reform the nation's food system through reduced regulations, increased program funding and new partnerships with the private sector.

Videos

‘No Insecticides, No Fungicides’ for Longtime No-Tiller

On this episode of Conservation Ag Update, brought to you by Yetter Farm Equipment, Greg and Janis Thoren share how they’re eliminating insecticides and fungicides on their Leopold Conservation Award-winning operation in Stockton, Ill.

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Articles by John Dobberstein

Where is Our Generation’s 'Farm Aid'?

Farm Bill Extension Draws Mixed Reviews

Federal Reserve Drops Benchmark Interest Rate Again

USDA to Resume Farmer Aid Programs During Shutdown

Mortgaging the Future with Plowing Isn’t the Answer

Evolving Technology, Market Needs Driving Corteva Split-up

Farmer Aid & Support at Risk with Government Shutdown

Fall-Seeded Soybeans: Time Savings & Yield Increase?

Precision Ag Provides Major Payoff for Growers: Study

Draft MAHA Report Embraces Conservation Agriculture, Doesn’t Target Pesticides

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