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Soybean checkoff turns research into new demand
Soybeans are most commonly associated with food, livestock feed, and renewable fuels, but a growing share of soybean research is looking at what the crop can do beyond those traditional markets. From tires and lubricants to firefighting foam, industrial uses are putting soy into products consumers encounter every day. For soybean farmers, those products can also represent something increasingly important: another source of demand. United Soybean Board member Brent Rendel said industrial uses...
Naig reveals additional funding for Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program
Just 10 days of the program expansion being announced at the Iowa State Fair, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig said funding for the expanded Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program was fully obligated to Iowa livestock producers. Naig said the program, which is...
GeoKnife offers Iowa growers a new approach to soil sampling
At this week’s Farm Progress Show the Iowa Ag Radio Network stopped by the PTx tent to learn about the new soil sampling tool, GeoKnife, from Radicle Agronomics. Adam Vaccari explains the thought process around the development of GeoKnife and how it can help Iowa’s...
DOJ expands beef price investigation to major retailers
The U.S. Department of Justice is expanding its investigation into record-high beef prices, widening its review to include eight major grocery chains, according to Meatingplace. The retailers involved are Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize,...
Farmers and ranchers are facing a growing pile of issues
While there is a rebound in ag exports for 2025 and 2026, growth remains below desired levels. New policy measures out of Washington, such as President Trump’s decision to allow tariff-free beef imports, are creating even higher levels of uncertainty for farmers and...
Small refinery exemptions raise big questions
EPA’s latest round of small refinery exemptions is raising concerns within the ethanol industry, after the agency granted exemptions to 29 refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The exemptions allow qualifying refineries to avoid some of their renewable fuel...
Naig recognizes success of cover crop cost-share program
Farmers in the Greater Des Moines Watershed nearly tripled the number of cover crop acres in state-cost share programs this fall. During a press conference at this year’s Farm Progress Show, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced the initial results of the Greater Des...
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September USDA crop reports build upon August
The September WASDE and Crop Reports from USDA will be published on Friday September 11th. The September reports build upon initial field survey numbers from August. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains how the hard data is gathered by...
Midwest heat raises late-season corn and soybean concerns
Extreme heat remains a major agricultural issue across a large portion of the Corn Belt. Heat warnings stretch from Iowa and Kansas through Illinois and toward Ohio, with heat indexes expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees in some areas. The timing matters. USDA...
Beef markets may not need government intervention
The cattle industry continues to sort through questions surrounding the Trump administration's proposal to temporarily allow an additional 300,000 metric tons of imported beef into the U.S. market. At the same time, producers are dealing with the smallest U.S. cow...
Beef exports were strong in July while pork was down
July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the value increase was driven primarily by...
Another trade dispute leaves farmers facing the fallout
Trade tensions between the United States and Canada are creating another potential problem for American agriculture, this time for the dairy industry. Trade negotiations between the two countries broke down in August, followed by new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods....
