Top Stories
Previewing USDA’s Prospective Plantings Report
The 2026 USDA Prospective Plantings Report is scheduled for release on Tuesday March 31st. The report surveys farmer planting intentions for major crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and more. This report gives us the first real snapshot of what planted acreage could look like for the upcoming growing season. Jim McCormick, co-founder of AgMarket.net, provides the numbers from AgMarket.net’s projections of the report. McCormick says that fertilizer prices will shift some acres from corn to...
Finding ourselves in a new trade dynamic
As we navigate this current economical climate, there are things we need to consider. The global marketplace is not the same as it has been in years prior. Countries and populations are changing. We are seeing negative population growth in countries like China and...
Midwest farmers planting more corn and wheat
Midwestern farmers are planning to plant more corn and wheat this spring. An Ag Access survey says farmers will add 27 percent more acres to corn and 32 percent more to wheat. A smaller percentage, at 17 percent, says they?ll increase their soybean acres. The survey...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-23-23)
We saw a decent export sales report this week. Corn is now performing quite well, and, while soybeans are bearish, they are following what we usually see at this time of year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week?s U.S. Export...
The working relationship between NASA and agriculture
Commodity Classic is an annual ag showcase that presents the latest and greatest in farming practices and ag technology. So why was NASA located on the trade show floor at this year?s event in Orlando Florida? Brad Doorn a program manager with NASA?s earth science...
Sec Naig discusses recent & upcoming trade trips
We have often discussed the importance of getting our products and our people out in front of potential and existing trade partners. The pandemic changed how we did business for a little while, but now that things have eased, face-to-face meetings are important once...
AFBF celebrates farmers giving back to communities
Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 25.3 million pounds of food and raised more than $1 million to help fight hunger in 2022 through the American Farm Bureau Federation?s (AFBF) Harvest for All program. AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair Matt...
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More Ag News
Rain slows harvest progress
Slowing the pace of harvest, with some rains that fell this past week. The update comes from the USDA's Upper Midwest Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service, where Doug Decock is the statistician. “Corn harvested for grain reached 77%...
Farm bill extension appears likely
A temporary spending bill to avert a government shutdown this month appears more like the legislative vehicle to extend the already expired farm bill, but one Ag Senator says farmers shouldn’t look for any extra help. Iowa’s Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says an extension is...
State of the corn economy
In the third quarter of 2023, the corn sector wrapped up the 2022-2023 marketing year and entered the 2023-2024 marketing year. Geopolitical tensions and international dynamics continue to be factors in the market. Looking ahead, a National Corn Growers Association...
Another fall. Another battle with HPAI
We sincerely hoped we would finally be done with the battle against High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as the bird flu. However, as the long fall and the slow bird migration are showing, we are going to have to fight another season of this...
Former Iowa governor Terry Branstad to receive USMEF award
Former Iowa Governor and U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad has been selected to receive the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Michael J. Mansfield Award. USMEF established this award in recognition of the U.S. Senate majority leader and ambassador to Japan...
