June 25, 2023

2023 Purdue Farm Management Tour Prelude: Rowland Farms

Greg and Jacob Rowland discuss their family’s farm operation near Campbellsburg, Indiana with Purdue’s James Mintert. Rowland Farms has been in operation since the late 1930’s and will be featured as part of the Purdue Farm Management Tour on July 11, 2023 in Washington county, Indiana. Greg and Jenny Rowland took over the operation in 1989 and for well over a decade have focused on improving soil health via their use of cover crops to boost their farm’s long-term productivity. Looking for expansion opportunities to make it possible to join the family’s farm operation full-time, the Rowland’s son, Jacob, recently put into operation a new commercial scale cage-free layer house. The highly automated poultry operation features a manure storage system that helps Rowlands obtain maximum value from the poultry litter they apply to their cropland. Hear how the Rowland’s cover crop technology has evolved and how adding a new enterprise to the farm operation facilitated bringing the next generation back to the farm.

Meet Greg, Jacob and Jenny Rowland in person and tour their farm operation! Join us for the 90th annual Purdue Farm Management Tour on July 11, 2023 at the Rowland Farm near Campbellsburg, Indiana. More details and registration information are at https://purdue.ag/farmtour.

Additional Resources:

2023 Purdue Farm Management Tour details + map

TEAM LINKS:

James Mintert

RELATED RESOURCES

Explaining Fluctuations in DDG Prices

November 5, 2025

Distiller’s dried grains (DDGs) are a co-product of ethanol production and a high-protein substitute for corn and soybean meal in livestock feed. DDG prices generally move with corn and soybean meal, but the relationship is not always predictable. Market disruptions and shifting feed demand can create wide price swings. Projections for early 2026 suggest a $145–$155 per ton range, yet small changes in underlying grain or meal prices could alter the outlook—making careful monitoring essential for livestock operations.

Livestock Sector Optimism Fuels a Modest Rise in Farmer Sentiment in October

November 4, 2025

U.S. farmer sentiment edged slightly higher in October, with the Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer rising 3 points to a reading of 129. Farmers’ appraisals of current conditions highlight a “tale of two economies”: Livestock producers remain highly optimistic about their farm conditions, partly supported by record-high profitability in the beef sector, while crop producers report a more pessimistic view of the current situation on their farms due to low profit margins across major crop enterprises. Purdue ag economists James Mintert and Michael Langemeier review the results from the September Ag Economy Barometer and give their insights into farmer sentiment and the farm economy.

Using the Long-Run Cash Rent Spreadsheet: When to Hold Them or Fold Them?

October 31, 2025

Farmers typically find that rental rates don’t adjust rapidly during a downturn and consequently they lose money on rented land. But most farmers don’t want to give up rented land even if it is not profitable because it is difficult to find another parcel to replace it. They continue to hold on to rented land waiting for better prices, lower costs, and/or higher yields. The fundamental question is how long can they delay the decision. In other words, when should they hold them and when should they fold them? This question has become even more relevant today, given the financial pressure currently faced by crop producers across the Corn Belt, including lower commodity prices, tighter margins, and higher interest rates.

UPCOMING EVENTS

We are taking a short break, but please plan to join us at one of our future programs that is a little farther in the future.

POPULAR RESOURCES

See What Others Like >>