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U.S. pork exports to Japan show strong rebound
Exports of U.S. pork to Japan have shown an impressive rebound in 2026. The market has faced challenges such as high energy costs and a weak yen against the U.S. dollar, but some value sectors have increasingly relied on U.S. pork loin and pork butt. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said those value sectors include ramen noodle chains and bento box companies. Halstrom says that Japan’s refusal to recognize Spain’s African swine fever regionalization has kept Spanish pork out of the...
Farmer sentiment weakened in July
Farmer sentiment continues to weaken. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July, falling to 135, an 11-point month-over-month decline from June. The July Current Conditions Index dropped 17 points to 127, while the Future Expectations...
First annual Heart of the County Fair Award recipients
The Heart of the County Fair Award honors exceptional Iowans who have made significant contributions to their local fairs and communities. The families will be honored at the Iowa State Fair with a plaque and special recognition, made possible by Beck’s Hybrids in...
Field level yield predictions and AI agronomic advice from FBN
As every farmer knows, scouting a corn field from the end rows can tell a much different story from what is happening in the middle of your field. Farmers Business Network is attempting to help farmers with their scouting by providing field level yield data to Iowa’s...
Iowa farmers face tough old crop decisions
As summer winds down, many farmers are working to finish moving the last of their 2024 old crop grain out of storage. But with market pressure mounting and prices slipping, it’s becoming more difficult to find strong opportunities. The clock is ticking, and making the...
Iowa State Fair continuing to modernize livestock buildings
The Iowa State Fair is finally back and kicking off tomorrow, August 7th. It’s still the same great event that it’s always been, but fairgoers will notice some thoughtful improvements this year. Areas like the kid’s playgrounds have been made more accessible, and...
H-2A program still needs updating, AFBF says
Farmers and ranchers need a more efficient program for supplying labor. Difficulty finding adequate labor is a common challenge for farmers across the U.S. Phillip Hunter, chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Ag Labor Issue Advisory Committee, said...
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Markets stay cautious in fog of uncertainty
After some fireworks late last week, things have quieted down in the grain trade. The latest spark came as China and the United States each slapped new fees on maritime shipping from the other country. It’s another step in the ongoing trade war, but for now, markets...
Farm crisis not forgotten during shutdown
The farm crisis remains top of mind during the government shutdown and some lawmakers are sounding the alarm. That’s Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith who says this is not a regional or political issue but one that affects all Americans. She adds that the situation...
China holding off on Brazil soybean purchases
High premiums on Brazilian cargoes are discouraging soybean buyers in China, which means the country has yet to secure much of its needed soybean supply for December and January. Reuters says the development could prompt the Chinese government to tap state reserves to...
Navigating tough decisions on fertilizer this fall
The discussion on fertilizer this fall has put a lot of farmers between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand prices for commodities are low but on the other hand fertilizer prices are elevated. That leaves the grower often wondering if they should cut back on...
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (10-16-25)
As the government shutdown persists, we still don’t have any official export numbers to look at. We can, however, look again at the weekly estimates. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are still projected to be well above the average. On the...
