Top Stories
Farm Rescue encourages referrals for farm families in need of harvest assistance
As harvest begins across the country, Farm Rescue is reminding rural communities that help is available for farm families facing an unexpected crisis. When illness, injury or natural disaster strikes, the work on the farm doesn’t stop. Crops still need to come out of the field, and for a family already navigating a difficult season, harvest can quickly become an overwhelming challenge. Farm Rescue provides free harvest assistance to farm families in crisis, bringing together equipment,...
Record ethanol blend rate lowers fuel costs for drivers
The average ethanol content in U.S. gasoline reached a record 11.29 percent in May, according to new data from the Energy Information Administration. The Renewable Fuels Association says the increase was driven by strong blending economics as ethanol sold at a...
Tight margins make financial analysis critical
As many farmers continue to navigate a difficult economic environment, understanding the financial health of their operations has become increasingly important. While many producers complete financial statements to satisfy their lenders, one agricultural attorney says...
South American Weather and Crop Update (8-4-26)
As harvest continues to progress in South America, the weather is staying mostly the same. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the current forecast is pretty much a carbon copy of what they have seen recently. With the amount of rain they have seen, McBride...
Build-out continues on state-of-the-art animal disease lab
The Plum Island Animal Disease Center is being replaced by a brand-new facility in Kansas. The federal government continues relocating the animal disease laboratory from Plum Island, New York, to the new National Bio and Agro Defense Facility, or NBAF, in Manhattan,...
A disaster plan for your livestock operation is vital
Unfortunately for farmers and livestock producers, disaster can strike a farming operation at any time. A fire, flood, or tornado for example does not allow for much time to react. Dr. Mark van der List, a professional services veterinarian with Boehringer-Ingelheim,...
U.S. cropland value surpasses $6,000 per acre for first time
The average value of U.S. cropland has climbed above $6,000 per acre for the first time, underscoring the resilience of farmland prices despite weaker farm income and tighter profit margins. New data compiled by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service show...
Video
More Ag News
Don’t wait for crisis to plan farm succession
Passing a farm from one generation to the next involves more than transferring land, equipment or livestock. For many farm families, succession means determining the future of a business, a livelihood and a legacy that may have taken generations to build. That...
Iowa farmers closely watching August WASDE and crop reports
The August WASDE and crop reports will be published by USDA on Wednesday August 12th and will feature the latest USDA yield estimates and updated acreage numbers. The reports will be published at 11:00 AM central time on Wednesday. Eric Relph of Commstock Investments...
China steps up U.S. soybean purchases ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
China has increased purchases of U.S. soybeans following a May summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, providing a boost for American soybean exporters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported China purchased 238,000 metric tons of...
Iowa producers welcome meat export recovery
Although U.S. beef exports were slightly lower in volume in June, export value was higher than a year ago. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said U.S. beef exports are benefiting from strong demand in countries like Taiwan and parts of Latin America. Growing demand...
Iowa cattle producers can turn calf health into sale-day value
Calves in today’s market are bringing strong prices, but what you put into them only pays off if buyers recognize it. With calves representing a high-value investment, new auction data shows buyers are willing to pay more when calves have a clear health history. Chris...
