Top Stories
What is the next step for year-round E15 legislation?
Last week the EPA issued a waiver to allow for summertime E15 sales across the country in 2026. However, permanent legislation for E15 sales year-round is still a priority for many Midwest politicians hoping to provide certainty for farmers and retailers. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) recently suggested that E15 legislation should be attached to the bill to fund military spending for the war in Iran and he offered his reasons why. Grassley says that in addition to creating...
Booker-Grassley bill offers CRP reforms
Bipartisan legislation introduced by New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker and Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley in the Senate would change the Conservation Reserve Program. The Conservation Reserve Program Reform Act would prioritize enrolling marginal farmland in the CRP,...
Reducing the stigma of asking for help
With May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we have taken the time to make sure that farmers are aware of the importance of not letting the stigma of asking for help be a sign of weakness. Not only is it important for farmers to break through that stigma, but it is...
NW Iowa planting season update
As we saw in this week?s crop progress report, Iowa farmers have had a great time with planting season this year, with progress in most areas being way ahead of the average. Even though northwest Iowa is still seeing more than its fair share of challenges from drought...
Senator Grassley gives update on debt limit negotiations
Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have been actively engaged in debt limit negotiations with some politicians warning that the United States could go into debt default and be unable to pay its bills as soon as June 1st if the debt ceiling isn?t raised.United States Senator...
The story behind rising farm real estate debt levels
A recent report from the USDA?s Economic Research Service says farm sector debt tied to real estate will hit a record high of $375.9 billion in 2023. Randy Dickhut, farmland analyst for Agricultural Economic Insights, said the headline doesn?t tell the whole story of...
Markets bracing for a turbulent couple of days
We know that there are a lot of outside factors that can shape the trajectory of our markets. Many of these factors are the results of the actions of other countries around the globe. Whether it?s purchases of our crops or invasions of smaller countries, the markets...
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More Ag News
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...
