Top Stories
U.S. blockade in Strait of Hormuz will have long-lasting impact
The Iran conflict has escalated further, as President Donald Trump announced a plan for a full U.S. Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the energy and fertilizer industries are wondering what that will do to prices. Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer for StoneX, said we’re in uncharted territory. While most farmers have spring needs met, Linville said this is rapidly becoming a long-term supply issue that will start in the fall and continue into 2027. Unfortunately, the...
Eight farmers elected to Iowa Soybean Association board of directors
Eight farmers, including three incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of...
State fair showcases food supply & production efforts
There isn’t a spot on the Iowa State Fairgrounds where you can’t look around and see food vendors. The smells come wafting down the street no matter the time of day or the weather conditions. Honestly, some of the offerings taste far better than they smell, but...
Senator Grassley visits the Iowa State Fair
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently stopped by the IARN tent at the Iowa State Fair and was asked if he thinks the farm bill will be completed before the end of the year.Senator Grassley has also been involved in recent efforts to introduce a...
Farm credit continues strong support for beginning farmers
Farm Credit continued its strong support for beginning farmers during 2022. That was detailed in a report at the Farm Credit Administration’s Board meeting where it issued the annual report on the Farm Credit System’s lending to young, beginning, and small farmers....
August WASDE creates mild reaction in the grain markets
If we’ve learned anything from this year’s WASDE reports, it’s that you always have to be prepared for the unexpected. More often than not, the estimates turn out to be mostly accurate, and that was the case with this month’s report. Looks can be deceiving, though, as...
The importance of increasing traceability in the pork industry
Increasing traceability in the pork industry protects Iowa pork producer profitability. The National Pork Producers Council is developing a resolution to adopt updated Swine Traceability Standards. NPPC President Scott Hays said it’s all about filling...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-23-24)
This week was not a good one for the grain markets, and that could be seen in this week’s export sales as well. Corn is still looking fine, but soybeans posted the lowest numbers for this week in over thirty years. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an...
U.S. milk production to grow slower in 2024
The good news is U.S. milk production is expected to grow in 2024. Michael McConnel of the USDA’s Chief Economist Office says the bad news is the growth rate will slow compared to last year. The good news for U.S. dairy farmers is it will cost less to feed their...
Brazil soybean exports double U.S. shipments
Brazil’s 2023 soybean exports reached a record 3.74 billion bushels, 29 percent higher than the previous year as Brazilian production hit record levels. Meanwhile, U.S. shipments dropped 14 percent to 1.78 billion bushels in the same period. The two countries are...
Farm loan repayments are beginning to slip
After a couple of years of great prices and good profit margins, we have seen the ag profit forecasts start to dip lower year by year. However, we had been consistently reassured that the ag economy was holding its own. Several indicators are considered when these...
BoviJet helping producers gather more data on cattle
As labor becomes more difficult to find, cattle producers can take advantage of new technologies to ease the labor requirements for taking care of their cattle. Dakota Belling, co-founder of BoviJet, talked about their innovative automatic pour-on medicine applicator...
