Jamie Dickerman

1 week ago | rrfn.com | Jamie Dickerman

Despite growing social media chatter, the North Dakota Stockmen's Association says there are no confirmed reports of stolen calves. "We don't have any reports of confirmed missing or stolen calves," said Chief Brand Inspector Corby Ward. "What we've got is people have called and said they've heard it's going on." Ward urges producers to stay watchful during calving season. "Everybody should be a little aware, and if you see something, say something."

1 week ago | rrfn.com | Jamie Dickerman

Solen, North Dakota, farmer Kenny Schmidt says recent rains have slightly improved dry field conditions, allowing planting to begin. "We're pretty good. On the dry side," said Schmidt. "We got a little bit of rain through the weekend, we're feeding into moisture, and field conditions are pretty good." Schmidt, who grows wheat, corn, and sunflowers, started planting last Friday and estimates he's about 25 percent done. "It's early for the corn yet, I imagine that will start again next week."

1 week ago | rrfn.com | Jamie Dickerman

China's openness to new trade talks comes despite facing steep U.S. tariffs, and Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley believes the strategy may be showing results. "We're worrying a little bit too much about the impact of the President's tariff policies," Grassley said. "If he's got more than 100 countries wanting to sit down in Washington D.C. and negotiate, then maybe the policies are working." Grassley, a long-time advocate for reducing tariffs through negotiation, sees potential progress.

1 week ago | rrfn.com | Jamie Dickerman

By Jamie Dickerman Despite widespread drought concerns, Dairyland Seeds District Sales Manager Keith Rekow says certain areas remain overly wet. "South Central North Dakota got a lot of moisture in that late March snowstorm." That moisture has helped some of the dry areas. Rekow said some areas were overly wet last year. "A guy said they had 30 inches of precip last year, normal is like 12. That's like northeast Logan County."

1 week ago | rrfn.com | Jamie Dickerman

Global Commodity Analytics President Mike Zuzolo says the trade war between the U.S. and China is far from over, with China unlikely to make currency concessions. "I think President Xi is in the same situation. He's not going to back down. He saw what happened to Japan in the 1980s," Zuzolo said. "Japan had almost the identical property bubble that China does right now.