USDA Reports

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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Apr 03 | Weather Update and Market Review

  • April 3, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

We had a warm and wet end to March and start to April across the prairie state. Average temperatures this week ranged from the high 40s in northern Illinois to the high 50s in southern Illinois, between 4 and 10 degrees above normal.
by Trent Ford, State Climatologist
ISWS PRI University of Illinois
Some of the more impressive high temperatures this week included 93 degrees in Jacksonville and 88 in Champaign. March ended around 6 degrees warmer than normal statewide,…

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USDA Ag Outlook Forum Acreage Figures

  • February 19, 2026

  • Todd Gleason

USDA this morning released its Agricultural Outlook Forum acreage, yield and production numbers. These are widely anticipated by the trade and will be incorporated into the May WASDE (World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates) for corn and soybeans. The May WASDE includes the first official set of supply and demand tables for the new crop year.
USDA expects a slight decline in total acreage across wheat, corn, and soybean to 224 million (down ~1%). This number assumes a normal level of prevent plant acres and a modest expansion in the Conservation Reserve Program.…

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May 16 | Weekly Markets and Climate Review

  • May 16, 2025

  • Todd Gleason

The second full week in May brought summer heat to the Midwest. Average temperatures this week ranged from the high 50s in northern Illinois to the low 70s in southern Illinois, between 2 and 8 degrees above normal. Significant early season heat late in the week was noteworthy, as temperatures reached into the low to mid 90s statewide. Combined with high humidity, heat index values approached the triple digits. Thursday’s high of 93 degrees broke the previous May 15th record at O’Hare Airport,…

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Farmer Age: Not a Problem, But an Opportunity

  • May 22, 2024

  • Todd Gleason

Carl Zulauf, an agricultural economist emeritus from The Ohio State University, recently spoke with Todd Gleason University of Illinois Extension farm broadcaster about the age of U.S. farmers.
Zulauf’s farmdoc Daily article, titled “Age of U.S. Farmers: Not a Problem” challenges the common perception that an aging farmer population signifies trouble for American agriculture.
Dispelling the Myth of a Farmer Aging Crisis
Zulauf acknowledges that farmers are, on average, older than the general population.…

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Sep 6 | USDA Weekly Crop Progress State Reports

  • September 6, 2022

  • Todd Gleason

USDA reported on September 6, 2022 that 92% of the corn had reached the dough stage, 63% was dented, and that 15% had reached maturity. The condition of the corn crop was 54% good to excellent the same as the previous week.
94% of the soybeans have set pods, 10% are dropping leaves, and the condition of crop is 57% good to excellent the same as last week and last year.
Here are weekly crop progress updates from the states of Iowa,…

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