Agweek

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Board of Animal Health confirmed its first West Nile virus case of 2026 this week in a Polk County horse. The horse is an unvaccinated 3-year-old standardbred gelding and is recovering from the infection with supportive treatment from its veterinarian. West Nile virus is a preventable disease with routine vaccinations.

This week was another filled with headlines, data reports and continued weather concerns that all weighed heavily on grain markets. Randy Martinson, president of Martinson Ag Risk Management, shared his thoughts on how the markets were reacting as he spoke with Jamie Dickerman of the Red River Farm Network on Friday, Aug. 14, during the Agweek Market Wrap. Making the most movement to end the week was likely the latest USDA reports that had a few surprises tucked inside the data.

CHICAGO, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Tyson Foods said on Thursday, Aug. 13, it will close or sell three of its beef plant and packaging operation sites, further shrinking its beef footprint as a historic U.S. cattle shortage deepens losses for the largest U.S. meatpacker. The company will end operations at its beef facility in Joslin, Illinois, and its case-ready beef facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah, and pursue the sale of its beef plant in Pasco, Washington.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Sorghum is a crop that is growing in popularity throughout international markets. “Our No. 1 trade partner over the years has been China,” said Amy France, chairwoman of National Sorghum Producers. The U.S. exports 50-70% of its sorghum, and 70-90% of that goes to China. But there are several other importers of the commodity. “Mexico has been a longtime trading partner,” said France, who was among the speakers at the Midwest Agriculture Export Summit in Sioux Falls on Aug. 12.

Every August, the corn market has the same debate. How big is the U.S. crop? Are crop ratings accurately reflecting conditions in the field? Is USDA’s yield estimate too high, too low or reasonably close? Traders examine rainfall maps, ear counts, kernel depth and nearly every other piece of information they can find. This year is no different. That debate matters, but it may not be the only corn story worth watching.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — The livestock export market starts with healthy animals, Dusty Oedekoven, chief veterinarian for the National Pork Board, shared during the Midwest Agricultural Export Summit in Sioux Falls on Aug. 12, 2026. “Without having healthy animals, we really don’t have access to markets in other parts of the globe,” Oedekoven said. “We pride ourselves here in the United States with having healthy livestock.

For the 2025 crop year only, eligible producers will get the higher of the calculated 2025 PLC or ARC-CO payments for corn, soybeans, wheat, and other program crops. This provision means that it is likely that all eligible base acres of corn, soybean, wheat, and many other crops are likely to receive either a PLC or ARC-CO payment for the 2025 crop year. The 2025 PLC or ARC-CO payments for all farm program crops will be paid in October 2026.

FARGO—The Fargo Moorhead West Fargo Chamber of Commerce will host the 2026 Midwest Technology Summit Thursday, August 13 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Watch live on this website. Artificial intelligence is influencing how organizations make decisions, serve customers, develop their workforce and plan for the future. The Midwest Technology Summit brings together business leaders, policymakers and technology experts to examine how AI is shaping industries across the region.

OWATONNA, Minn. — Revol Greens will close its lettuce greenhouses in Minnesota and Texas on Oct. 4 and lay off about 89 Minnesota workers unless the company secures a buyer or new financing, according to a notice filed with state regulators and a company statement to Agweek. The greenhouse grower filed the notice Aug. 5 with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, which requires 60 days' warning of mass layoffs.

Several years ago, I was working with a producer in north Texas during a particularly hot and dry summer. He called me up one morning, and when I asked him how he was doing, he said, “Well, we’re one day closer to a rain.” That’s a great reminder that things will get better — we just need to keep making the best decisions we can until the weather turns in our favor. The weather continues to be baffling.