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USDA cattle numbers show ongoing herd decline
The USDA released its latest Cattle Inventory Report last Friday, just ahead of this week’s National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Nashville. While the overall change in cattle numbers was modest, the data continues to reinforce a long running trend of tightening supplies across the U.S. beef industry. As of January 1, 2026, the total U.S. cattle and calf inventory stood at 86.2 million head, down slightly from a year ago. The report keeps the industry on a familiar trajectory, as...
PFI accepting applications for another year of the Cover Crop Business Accelerator
Enrollment is open now for the Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Cover Crop Business Accelerator program, with applications being accepted on a rolling basis. The program, which started in 2020, offers tailored business coaching, technical guidance, and financial...
New dietary guidelines unveiled by HHS and USDA
Trump administration cabinet members this week introduced the newest edition of federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans covering the years 2025 through 2030. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins summed up the guidelines succinctly with the phrase, “eat real food.”...
Economists predict the farm economy will stabilize in 2026
Agricultural economists are predicting that the slide in the U.S. farm economy will stop in the new year. However, an AgWeb report said that doesn’t mean the ag economy will be whole again. The December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor showed monthly sentiment is...
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association welcomes new leadership to board of directors
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, recently elected new leadership to its Board of Directors, with the Executive Committee being announced at the annual meeting held at the 2025 Iowa...
Iowa Farm Act focuses on taxes and practical ag policy
As the 2026 legislative session gets underway, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the Iowa Farm Act is designed to do more than outline future priorities. The proposal also takes aim at barriers that have made it harder for farmers and agribusinesses to...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-8-26)
Now that the USDA is caught up on export sales, we can go back to focusing on weekly reports. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this week’s corn numbers slipped slightly, but that just means they are more normal for this time of year. McBride said the...
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Agribusiness Association eyes key Iowa legislation
As the Iowa Legislature begins work on the 2026 session, agriculture and agribusiness are once again front and center in policy discussions at the Statehouse. The Agribusiness Association of Iowa states that several proposals this year could directly impact investment...
Brazilian soybean harvest underway
With a main global competitor of U.S. soybeans now beginning harvest for this year's crop, what is the outlook for Brazil’s production this season? USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski provides the latest update on the Brazilian growing season....
Feenstra says a new farm bill is still possible
The year is 2026, and we are still using the 2018 Farm Bill. After eight years, much of the legislation needs to be updated in order to match the constantly evolving ag industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said the process will start again next month in the House...
Secretary Naig announces 2026 renewable fuels marketing award recipients
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Karde’s Convenience Store and Pilot Travel Centers are the recipients of the 2026 Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. The annual awards recognize fuel retailers for outstanding leadership in expanding access...
AFBF sets 2026 policies at 107th convention
The American Farm Bureau Federation delegate session adopted a number of policy priorities for 2026. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says the farmer and rancher delegates covered a wide range of issues. Delegates also requested the AFBF Board of Directors analyze issues...
