Top Stories
Farmers face another year of tight margins
U.S. farmers are entering another growing season with tight profit margins as lower crop prices, elevated input costs, and trade uncertainty weigh on the outlook for 2026. Corn and soybean prices remain below levels seen during recent highs, while expenses for fertilizer, fuel, seed, and machinery continue to pressure farm budgets. Economists say many producers may break even or post losses unless yields are strong or markets improve later this year. Dakota News Now reports some growers are...
A new era of Farmall tractors
In its 100th year, Farmall is giving a glimpse of what’s in store for the next century. Earlier this year, Case IH unveiled the Farmall 75C Electric, which is the smartest electric tractor from Case IH. They also launched numerous tractors like the Farmall 25SC...
Export sales and December WASDE showcase strong export demand
We had a couple of reports from the USDA to end off the first full week of December, and while we generally don’t expect anything from these reports, there were a few friendly surprises to be found. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided the numbers from the...
Leveraging technology to address labor shortages
Labor shortages in agriculture are an ongoing issue that continue to cause problems for America’s farming operations. Technology can help farmers to overcome labor shortages says Eric Raby Senior Vice President - Americas at CLAAS. Raby says that advances in CLAAS...
Purina offers risk management tools for dairy producers
The dairy industry has had more than its fair share of challenges in the past few years, but those producers are resilient as ever, and with the right tools and support they are going to have a level of certainty that is desperately needed. Purina is also offering...
Records shattered as more Iowans seek help with food
Food Bank of Iowa and its partners across 55 counties continue to serve more and more neighbors who need food assistance. For 19 months, new records have been set as the number of Iowans facing food insecurity continues to climb at an alarming rate, says Food Bank of...
USDA now accepting online loan applications
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a new online application for Direct Loan customers. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small said the agency is trying to make things more convenient for U.S. producers. “America’s farmers are working...
Video
More Ag News
This May will be remembered for severe weather
Before this month, we were all worried about the drought conditions in Iowa as it continued for over 200 weeks. However, we’re now completely on the other end of the spectrum, as there is no longer any drought listed in Iowa. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-31-24)
Corn markets continued their trend of decent sales numbers, while soybeans continued their much less favorable trend. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales. At this time of year, McBride said the export numbers generally...
Is the Senate any closer to a compromise on the farm bill?
After the release of the House version of the farm bill two weeks ago, eyes in Washington D.C. turned towards the Senate chamber and whether the two sides of the aisle are any closer to coming to agreement on the Senate's version of the farm bill. United States...
U.S. ag trade deficit widens
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is projected to increase again to $32 billion in fiscal year 2024, a $1.5 billion increase from the February projection. Those numbers come from the USDA Economic Research Service’s quarterly May 2024 Outlook for U.S. Agricultural...
Livestock groups pushing for more traceability options
As we face threats from foreign animal diseases worldwide, livestock groups are working hard to improve the traceability of where animals have been moving around the country. This information helps detect disease origins and helps us to contain problem areas quickly....
