Top Stories
Farm production costs mixed last year, soaring in 2026
Farm production costs were mixed last year but are up significantly in 2026. USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez provides the specifics from 2025. Benevidez says the largest increase occurred in livestock and poultry production. However, the latest farm expenditure report shows crop farm spending dropped more than six-and-a-half percent. The numbers for 2026 paint a much different story. Fertilizer is up year-over-year by five percent for ammonia and up to 37 percent for DAP. Since 2020,...
Recent Iowa weather conducive to tar spot development
Tar spot has been a major issue in Iowa for several years now, with this year being no different. While pressure from tar spot right now is minimal, the recent weather may cause it to ramp up in the next few weeks. Last year was an example of how detrimental tar spot...
EPA proposed registering Dicamba again
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to re-register Dicamba herbicide for over-the-top application on cotton and soybeans. Successful Farming says there will be restrictions intended to limit possible ecological harm. Dicamba has been blamed for...
GROWMARK applauds 199A extension
Farmers and cooperatives across the country are seeing some long-awaited tax clarity thanks to a key provision in the recently passed federal tax legislation. Chuck Spencer, Executive Director of Corporate and Government Relations at GROWMARK, says Section 199A for...
Iowa producers watching Prop 12 situation closely
Pork and egg producers across the country were paying close attention yesterday as the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on California's Proposition 12. California voters passed Prop 12 in 2018 essentially banning the sale of conventionally raised pork and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-24-25)
Corn sales rebounded this week after a disappointing performance last week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of this week’s numbers. McBride said bean sales looked weaker at first glance, but strength remained in the old crop numbers. McBride...
Farmland values remain firm at midway point of 2025
Despite challenges with the commodity markets and widespread uncertainty regarding profitability, farmland values are remaining steady at the midway point of 2025. Paul Shadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate with Farmers National Company, explains the economics...
Video
More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-7-25)
With the current government shutdown, the markets are looking for any headlines to react to. There’s definitely a watchful eye on the crop conditions in Brazil and Argentina, but some political meetings may cause more of a shakeup. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Crop farmers still facing a rough ag economy
As the broader ag economy continues to struggle, row crop farmers face a particularly difficult time. Now, many farmers and ranchers are studying their balance sheets. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the difficult ag economy is...
Senator says time is running out for US growers, help needed now
United States Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) told the Senate that U.S. growers can’t wait much longer for help from Washington. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer says that the combination of high input costs and uncertainty in trade has brought farm finances dangerously close...
Secretary Naig announces grants to bolster access to E15, biodiesel in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 48 grants, totaling more than $1.86 million, to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These...
Scout from the combine seat as weed escapes show
The combines are running full throttle across Iowa, and while farmers are focusing on bringing in the crop, another reality is emerging along the field edges and in bare spots: weeds that slipped through this year’s control programs. Those escapes may look harmless...
