Top Stories
Iowa farmers closely watching as corn futures climb above $5
August is often when the picture begins to clear up on yields and the market begins to gain confidence in the numbers. Although there is a wide range of factors that are exerting influence on the corn marketplace right now, traders are betting on smaller yields than they were earlier in the summer. On Thursday corn futures contracts mostly closed in the five-dollar range, which might have seemed unlikely early in the growing season. John Heinberg is a Market Advisor with Total Farm Marketing...
SNAP funding debate slows farm bill markup process
The House Ag farm bill markup has entered its second day, but the key stumbling block to a bipartisan bill has now come into sharp focus. The fight over SNAP versus farm programs has kept a new farm bill off the books for at least three years. Republicans got around...
Secretary Naig extends popular cattle and conservation working lands project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced a three-year extension of the popular, farmer-led Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project. The extension renews program agreements in Taylor, Page, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie, and Ida counties through...
Cutting input costs key for Iowa farmers
As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, managing input costs remains a top priority. With tighter margins across much of agriculture, many producers are looking for ways to improve efficiency while still protecting yield potential. Shane Brockhoff, who works...
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-3-26)
As harvest wraps up in Brazil for the soybean crop, the safrinha corn crop is being planted right behind it. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the weather forecast looks good for both processes to continue smoothly. While progress is behind the usual pace,...
Many farmers have already signed up for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
Several overdue changes are now happening for antiquated systems that farmers have relied on for many years. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Programs Richard Fordyce talked about a new “One Farmer, One File” initiative at the agency. The USDA...
Iran conflict strengthens ethanol industry case for year-round E15 legislation
The ethanol industry now has another argument for Congress to enact legislation for year-round E15 sales as the Iran-Middle East conflict erupted last weekend. Troy Bredenkamp of the Renewable Fuels Association says that with oil and gas prices on the rise due to the...
Video
More Ag News
Bayer opens seed innovation center at ISU Research Park
A new facility in central Iowa will allow students, researchers, and other industry leaders to collaborate on the latest advances in seed production. Bayer recently announced the opening of the Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center, located at the Iowa...
Clean Fuels Alliance submits comments on 45Z credit rule
Clean Fuels Alliance America has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Treasury Department regarding proposed rules for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, calling for additional clarity as the agency works to finalize the policy. The organization praised Treasury...
Heifer development is critical for cattle herd success
Cow numbers have been declining for the past few years. However, with the bullish cattle market, it may be time for producers to start retaining more females. Development of replacement heifers is best accomplished through quality management, implementing parasite...
February red meat exports contain bright spots for pork and beef
February exports of U.S. pork were slightly higher year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said February was a robust month for per-head export value, with pork...
John Deere updates repair tools under new EPA guidance
As planting season approaches, John Deere says new Environmental Protection Agency guidance is giving farmers more flexibility to keep equipment running during some of the most critical times of the year. The company says two recent EPA updates allow expanded...
