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“Quercus Biosolutions” is part of a new wave of agricultural startups trying to rethink crop protection from the ground up. Instead of relying on conventional chemistries alone, the company is developing AI-designed “mini proteins” that could unlock new modes of action and help tackle herbicide-resistant weeds. Quercus Biosolutions is a St. Louis–based startup founded in …

How “Designer Proteins” Could Rewrite Weed Control for Farmers Read More »

The USDA’s new “National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech” (NPG-Ag) could mark an important shift in how agricultural technologies are evaluated, marketed, and adopted across the United States. Rather than leaving farmers and ranchers to sort through bold claims, demo videos, and limited pilot data, the program is designed to test tools in real-world conditions, …

USDA’s New Proving Grounds Network Could Help Build Trust in Ag Tech Read More »

NEW FARMCON PODCAST… Kevin Van Trump and Todd Loechler sit down to discuss their updated corn, soybean, and wheat outlook, along with recent sales and new price objectives. There are also some deeper discussions about the importance of “time” in our grain marketing programs. Kevin and Todd also discuss investing in the collectible tractor and …

Farmcon Conversations 04–15-2026 Read More »

The tenth annual “Feeding the Economy” report, a comprehensive study analyzing the economic contributions of the entire U.S. food and agriculture supply chain, finds that America’s food and agriculture industries generate more than $10.4 trillion in economic activity, an increase of nearly+ $894 billion year-over-year. That represents nearly 20% of the U.S. economy, and supports …

Tenth Annual “Feeding the Economy” Report… Food and Agriculture Contribute Over +$10 Trillion to US Economy!  Read More »

Global cotton production is expected to continue its slow decline in 2026/27. The International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) is projecting global output to fall more than -4.5% to just 24.8 million metric tons (MMT). However, global demand is expected to exceed production next season, setting the stage for a global supply shortage if the trend …

Could Cotton Get a Longer-Term War Boost? Read More »

NEW FARMCON PODCAST… Kevin Van Trump and Todd Loechler sit down to discuss the current corn, soybean, and wheat markets and also provide their updated sales targets. There are also discussions about the current conflict in the Middle East, rising input costs, rising interest rates, and how all of this might impact Wall Street, Main …

Farmcon Conversations 04–08-2026 Read More »

Wheat, amongst many, has become the low-tech stepchild of US row crops. Over the last 30 years, America’s farmers have increasingly ditched conventional wheat acres for more profitable genetically modified (GM) corn and soybeans. This year, they intend to plant the fewest wheat acres since the USDA began keeping records over a century ago. But …

Can GM Seeds Make US Farmers Love Wheat Again? Read More »

The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger is shaping up as one of the most consequential transportation deals in decades. And US agriculture is emerging as one the most worried – stakeholder groups. While the railroads pitch a coast‑to‑coast network that boosts efficiency and reliability, farm organizations warn it could tighten an already constrained rail …

Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger on Collision Course With Ag Groups Read More »

John Deere’s new E98 8R prototype looks, at first glance, like any other big green row‑crop tractor. Under the hood, though, it’s running on something very different from diesel: fuel‑grade ethanol, about 98 percent pure. For row‑crop farmers who already grow the feedstock for that fuel, Deere’s prototype paints a possible future where your tractor …

John Deere’s E98 Tractor Tests a Farm‑Fueled Future Read More »

NEW FARMCON PODCAST… Kevin Van Trump and Todd Loechler sit down to discuss the current corn, soybean, and wheat markets and also provide their updated sales targets. There is some debate about the latest USDA data regarding new-crop planted acres. There are also discussions about the conflict in the Middle East, along with Kevin’s current …

Farmcon Conversations 04–01-2026 Read More »