News Archives - farmdoc

WILLAg Radio Week 21 in Review

May 23, 2026
Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 22, 2026. WILLAg.org is a partnership of Illinois Public Media and University of Illinois Extension. Its mission is to distribute regionally, nationally, and internationally information and analysis of commodity markets and agricultural weather.
Agricultural Markets Synthesis
The agricultural markets experienced a volatile week marked by risk-on and risk-off trading, heavily influenced by geopolitical news and macroeconomic factors. Curt Kimmel (AgMarket.net) ,…

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WILLAg Business Week Review for May 8, 2026

May 10, 2026
Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org radio broadcast content from the work week ending May 8, 2026.
Agricultural Markets Weekly Synthesis
Throughout the week, agricultural markets experienced significant volatility driven by fluctuating crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and the anticipation of upcoming governmental reports and international summits. Early in the week, Curt Kimmel reported that commodity funds aggressively bought contracts, pushing soybeans higher due to a risk premium returning to crude oil amidst Middle East tensions.…

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May 01 | WILLAg Business Week Review

May 1, 2026
Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending May 1, 2026.
Global Tensions, Speculative Buying, and Weather Concerns Drive Ag Markets
The agricultural commodity markets were heavily influenced by geopolitical tensions, speculative fund buying, and domestic weather concerns. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its impact on energy prices and fertilizer availability provided underlying support for feed grains. Crude oil prices climbing over $100 a barrel made ethanol more attractive,…

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Apr 24 | WILLAg Business Week Review

April 24, 2026
Todd Gleason

The following is a summary of the WILLAg.org content from the work week ending April 24, 2026.
Geopolitical Tensions and High Input Costs Dictate Choppy Grain Markets
The agricultural commodity markets experienced sideways, choppy trading heavily dictated by Middle East geopolitical tensions. Market analysts Mike Zuzolo, Matt Bennett, Curt Kimmel, Naomi Blohm, and Greg Johnson noted that fluctuating war premiums drove crude oil prices higher, which subsequently pulled biofuels and soybean oil to new highs while providing underlying support to the broader grain complex.…

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Apr 10 | Market Review and Weather Update

April 10, 2026
Todd Gleason

WILLAg.org Radio Programming for the work week ending April 10, 2026
Commodity Markets and Geopolitical Influences
The week in commodity markets was heavily influenced by geopolitical events and energy prices, particularly the ongoing conflict with Iran. Earlier in the week, traders squared positions and moved to the sidelines ahead of a deadline with Iran, while keeping a close watch on crude oil resistance levels. Later, a temporary truce caused crude oil prices to plunge,…

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Fertilizer and Fuel Risks as a Result of the Iran Conflict

March 27, 2026
Todd Gleason

How is the ongoing conflict in Iran impacting global agriculture? In this farmdoc daily webinar, University of Illinois agricultural economists Nick Paulson and Gary Schnitkey are joined by industry experts to break down the recent spikes in fertilizer and fuel prices.
The panel discusses the immediate effects on the 2026 crop year, the critical differences between this market shock and the 2022 Russia-Ukraine conflict, and what decreased input affordability means for farmer profitability heading into 2027.…

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Iran, Fertilizer, Diesel Fuel, and a farmdoc Webinar

March 21, 2026
Todd Gleason

A series of targeted strikes on critical oil and natural gas facilities across the Middle East has ignited fears of a global supply chain crisis, threatening both worldwide energy stability and the spring agricultural planting season.
During the middle of March, Iranian forces launched attacks against a Saudi Arabian oil facility on the Red Sea and oil facilities in the United Arab Emirates. In a separate, direct retaliation for an earlier Israeli raid on the South Pars gas field,…

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An Illinois Crop Progress Conversation

July 5, 2025
Todd Gleason

* Tools to Manage Tar Spot
* Illinois Soft Red Winter Wheat Harvest & Quality
* Corn and Soybean Update
* WILLAg Closing Market Report and Commodity Week

The Closing Market Report podcast player should open to the spot where the Illinois Field Crops discussion begins, or about six minutes into the program.
Tools to Manage Tar Spot
There is a new online tool farmers and retailers may use to help track,…

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Small Grains Field Fest Friday @ Riggs Beer

May 20, 2025
Todd Gleason

Small grains field fest invite on blue background with orange and white accents. Event Date: May 23, 2025
Event Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Riggs Beer Company
1901 South High Cross Rd. Urbana, IL
Join us for a mix of learning and happy hour at Riggs Beer Company located at 1901 South High Cross Rd. Urbana, IL. This event is for anyone curious about small grains, including wheat, barley, rye, triticale, oats, and kernza. Demonstration plots are located on-site next to the brewery. The small grains breeder from Virginia will be joining us as a special guest to talk about barley varieties adapted to Illinois.…

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$15M of EQIP Funding Available – Deadline Friday

February 27, 2025
Todd Gleason

The Illinois Corn Growers Association and the Illinois Department of Agriculture received a special allocation of EQIP funding. This allocation was not tied to the Inflation Reduction Act and is not impacted by any freezes, but the catch is farmers need to work with their local NRCS office by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28th.
The two were able to bring $15M into Illinois to address the Dust Storms and Nutrient Loss Reduction efforts. Ranking for these funds will be elevated if your farm is in either the defined Dust Storm Region or a priority nitrogen or phosphorus watershed.…

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