Russ Quinn

A new swine influenza vaccination technique has been developed by researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). The new vaccine approach encases DNA into fat-like microscopic carriers called lipid nanoparticles, which are then injected into pigs' muscle tissue. Previous DNA-focused vaccine approaches failed to generate such strong protective responses to combating swine influenza.

A recent study led by University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Rudra Baral found forage soybeans show great promise for bridging the summer forage gap. This is good news for livestock producers who continue to face rising feed costs, unpredictable weather and seasonal forage shortages during the summer.

Retail fertilizer prices were mostly lower for the second week in a row, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third week of June 2026. Leading the fertilizers lower were urea and UAN32. Urea was 12% less expensive with an average price of $731/ton while UAN32 was 7% lower compared to last month and had an average price of $544/ton.

Urea during the third week of June was 12% less expensive than a month ago with an average price of $731/ton. (DTN chart)

Farmers who suspect their forage crops have high levels of nitrates are encouraged to test for nitrates. Environmental conditions that could raise nitrate levels include drought stress, frost, cloudy weather, hail damage or heavy nitrogen fertilization. High nitrate levels in hay and forage pose a serious health risk to livestock.

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the last week of June 2026 were mostly lower compared to a month earlier, led by urea and the UAN fertilizers.

Retail fertilizer prices continue to move generally lower, according to sellers tracked by DTN for the last week of June 2026. This is the third consecutive week of mostly lower prices.

Last month in Russ' Vintage Iron, we wrote about the

DTN tracked mostly lower retail fertilizer prices for the week of the last few days of June and first few days of July 2026, with urea leading four nutrients to significant declines. DTN designates a significant move as anything 5% or more.

The average retail price of potash for the last few days of June and first few days of July 2026 was slightly more expensive than a month ago at $494/ton. (DTN chart)