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Farmers get less than six cents of every dollar spent on food
Data from the U.S. Economic Research Service’s Food Dollar Series provides a clear picture of how consumer food spending is distributed across the U.S. food supply chain. The latest estimates show that crop producers capture about 2.5 cents of every food dollar, down from 2.9 cents in 2023. Livestock producers receive about 3.3 cents, up from three cents a year earlier. Combined, U.S. farmers and ranchers account for about 5.8 cents of the total value added in the food system, down from 5.9...
Learning from 2025 to build a stronger 2026 crop plan
As growers look back on the challenges of 2025, many are already asking what they can do to be better prepared for 2026. Weather shifts, late-season disease surprises, and rapid swings in crop conditions proved once again that no two years behave the same. Brad Gibson...
Specialty crop growers feeling left out
In a time of financial stress for many farmers across the country, the $12 billion bridge assistance payments that were recently announced are welcome relief for many. However, $11 billion dollars of the relief payments are being distributed to row crop farmers,...
USDA launches final phase of 2025 ag resource management study
Beginning later this month, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will spend several months gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. The agency will be conducting its third and final phase of the 2025...
Impacts of Argentina’s export tax cut
It was recently announced that Argentina cut its export tax by 2%, which creates even more of a price gap with U.S. soybean prices. However, the global demand situation is too complex to trade just on prices alone. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the...
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act nearing finish line
A key piece of legislation aimed at growing healthier kids in American classrooms took a big step toward becoming law. Both legislative chambers have now passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, meaning the bill is nearly across the finish line. Danny Munch, an...
Fertility management takes priority as margins tighten
Farmers heading into the next growing season are facing a familiar challenge. Input costs remain elevated, margins are tight, and uncertainty in the broader economy continues to weigh on nearly every decision made on the farm. In an environment like this, agronomists...
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South American Weather and Crop Update (1-6-26)
Now is the time where the crops in Brazil are in a critical growth stage, so the markets across the globe are keeping an eye on the weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there has been a good amount of rain so far, which is what they need. The...
Bayer offering high-quality vegetable seeds for FFA chapters
FFA chapters have a fresh opportunity to boost their spring fundraisers, thanks to a new partnership between Seminis® vegetable seeds and Ball Seed®. The Plant-Powered Fundraiser Program gives chapters discounted access to professional-grade vegetable seeds, helping...
Saving money on paper can still lead to losses in the field
The 2025 crop season had a little bit of everything in Iowa. A lot of moisture early and dry conditions in August. Southern rust pressure throughout the state and weed pressure from persistent weeds such as waterhemp. The takeaway? Even if you think you are saving...
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association honors 2025 award winners
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, named the 2025 Producer of the Year and 2025 Hall of Fame award winners at their annual convention in mid-December. It is with great pleasure that they...
Global demand growing for U.S. Soybeans outside China
For the past several months, the United States and China have been uneasy trade partners when it comes to soybeans. There is technically an agreement in place, and China has made some purchases, but it has not exactly been the most reliable relationship. That...
