The JBS Strike in Greeley, Colorado, is Over For Now

A three-week strike by almost 4,000 employees at the JBS beef processing plant in Greeley, Colorado, is ending as employees were scheduled to return to work on Tuesday, April 7. MSN reports that the employees returned to work without a new contract as JBS agreed to resume negotiations this week. Union President Kim Cordova calls returning to the table a win, noting that no negotiations were scheduled while the strike was in progress, and warned that a strike could resume if talks fail. JBS said the company is offering the same package as in previous negotiating sessions and maintained that its final offer is unchanged. While union leadership said this is a victory, some workers expressed confusion and disappointment at returning to work without a ratified contract. They say the company’s offer doesn’t cover rising costs of living and ongoing safety concerns in the plant.

NCGA Survey Shows Rising Alarm Over Fertilizer Costs

U.S. corn farmers are growing increasingly concerned about fertilizer affordability and availability, with worries extending beyond the current planting season. That’s according to new survey results released by the National Corn Growers Association. Surveys conducted in late March show that while many growers secured fertilizer for the 2026 crop, anxiety is rising sharply for 2027. For every farmer concerned about 2026, nearly two report greater concern for the following year. “Fertilizer prices were high even before the war in Iran began,” said NCGA President Jed Bower. “Market stress has only intensified the situation.” Prices have climbed amid the Middle East conflict and shipping disruptions, while lower corn prices have hampered affordability. Farmers now need a record 185 bushels of corn to buy one ton of urea. Ongoing trade disputes and tightening global supplies are adding further uncertainty, shaping decisions for future growing seasons.

CoBank: Fallout of Rising Fuel and Energy Costs Hit Rural America Hardest

Rising energy and fuel costs are placing increasing strain on rural American communities, even as the broader U.S. economy shows signs of resilience in early 2026. CoBank said a strong first quarter, marked by steady job growth, solid consumer spending, and continued investment, has done little to shield rural areas from the outsized impact of surging gasoline and diesel prices. Conflict in the Middle East has fueled volatility in global oil markets, and despite record domestic production, U.S. fuel prices remain closely tied to those disruptions. For rural households and businesses, energy is a larger and less flexible expense. Longer driving distances, limited public transportation, and heavy reliance on diesel for farming, freight, and construction mean rising fuel costs quickly erode incomes and raise operating expenses. These pressures extend beyond the farm. Higher diesel prices increase the cost of transporting food and goods into rural areas, driving up local prices and compounding inflation.

Weekly Ethanol Production Moves Higher

U.S. ethanol production rebounded in early April, offering a modest bright spot for rural economies. That’s according to new data from the Energy Information Administration analyzed by the Renewable Fuels Association. For the week ending April 3, ethanol output rose 3.8 percent to 1.12 million barrels per day, which was well above both last year’s levels and the three-year average. Strong production supports corn demand, a key driver of income in many farming communities. However, other indicators point to mixed conditions. Gasoline demand, a proxy for fuel consumption, fell 1.4 percent to a five-week low, reflecting softer overall energy use. Meanwhile, ethanol blending slipped slightly, suggesting some near-term pressure on domestic consumption. Ethanol exports surged 65 percent, reaching their highest level in months, helping offset weaker domestic demand. For rural America, where biofuels production underpins local economies, the data highlights how shifting energy demand continues to influence farm income and regional economic stability.

Farmland Values in Illinois Are Stabilizing After Years of Growth

After several years of rapid gains, Illinois farmland values are entering a period of stabilization, with rural landowners and farm operators adjusting to a more cautious economic outlook. According to a new survey from the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers, most market participants expect modest downward pressure on land prices in the near term. While long-term confidence in farmland remains strong, 61 percent of respondents anticipate values will decline in 2026. The shift follows substantial appreciation in the early 2020s and is being driven by tighter crop margins, rising input costs, and a broader slowdown in the agricultural economy. For farmers, higher expenses for fuel, fertilizer, and financing are reducing profitability, limiting their ability to bid aggressively on land. Despite this, the expected downturn is viewed as controlled rather than a sharp correction. Strong balance sheets and continued interest in alternative land uses, such as renewable energy and data infrastructure, are helping support underlying demand.

USDA Creates the National Proving Grounds Network

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has launched a nationwide initiative to help farmers adopt new technologies with greater confidence amid ongoing economic pressures. Announced by Undersecretary for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Hutchins, the National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech will evaluate agricultural technologies under real-world conditions. “By establishing this coordinated national research network, we’re helping ensure our producers have access to reliable performance data for their investment decisions,” Hutchins said in the announcement. The effort is led by the USDA Agricultural Research Service in partnership with universities and industry groups. The program will generate data on performance and return on investment for tools such as digital and AI-driven technologies, helping farmers make more informed decisions while reducing financial risk. North Dakota-based Grand Farm will serve as the network’s national program manager. For more information, go to the USDA National Proving Grounds Network for AgTech website. 

Thursday Watch List

Markets

USDA will release their weekly export sales report Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. CDT. At the same time, the Bureau of Economic Analysis will release Personal Consumption Expenditure data for February. At 11 a.m. CDT, USDA will release the April issue of the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, typically a quiet iteration which will focus on old crop 2025-26 grain market fundamentals.

Weather

A cold front is settling in from the Central Plains into the Midwest on Thursday. A few showers and thunderstorms will form near and north of the front. Some of those could be severe across Kansas. Additional isolated showers may form across the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles as well.