Top Stories
AG trade deficit drops 42 percent
New numbers from USDA show progress in reducing the U.S. agricultural trade deficit, but officials say there is still more work ahead to return to a long-standing trade surplus. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says when the administration took office, the U.S. was facing a significant ag trade deficit after years of declining market access opportunities. Lindberg says while the U.S. is not back to a trade surplus yet, the improvement shows there is...
Give crops a head start with a pre-emerge herbicide
As we approach the 2026 planting season, farmers need to make sure that they have their weed management plans in place. With how unpredictable every crop season can be, a flexible herbicide can make the difference between a successful or challenging crop year. Will...
When fertilizer prices climb, efficiency is the key
As fertilizer prices skyrocket, farmers are researching all opportunities to apply fertilizer as efficiently as possible and receive the most bang for their buck. Dan Schulz is a vice president of sales with Ostara and provides some background of the company and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-14-26)
The weather is drying out a bit in Brazil, which could cause concerns as the second crop corn hits the last stage of growth. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this will be something to watch, but this is also close to the time that Brazil experiences its...
Secretary Naig and INREC launch nitrogen soil sampling project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced a new, three-year Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that will conduct nitrogen soil testing for farmers in targeted areas upstream from the Des...
NPPC targets Prop 12, trade, labor in D.C.
The National Pork Producers Council is taking its top policy priorities directly to Capitol Hill this week as pork producers gather in Washington, D.C. for the group’s Legislative Action Conference April 15 and 16. Rob Brenneman, president of NPPC and a pork producer...
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...
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More Ag News
To replant or not to replant, that is the question
This week’s unpredictable, severe weather shows just how quickly conditions can go from favorable to harmful for the crops in Iowa. No farmer wants to plan on making replant decisions, but it’s still important to keep in mind for when the crop season inevitably throws...
No E15, farm aid expected in GOP budget bill
Year-round E15 and additional farm aid are not expected to be included in a new GOP party-line budget bill. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the reconciliation bill will not include relief for farmers. According to Grassley, the White House has...
Farmers can’t afford all the fertilizer they need this spring
A new American Farm Bureau survey shows a large majority of farmers can’t afford enough fertilizer this year amid skyrocketing prices. Nearly half of Midwest farmers say they can’t afford all the fertilizer they need this year. Almost 70 percent in the Northeast and...
The search for Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin starts now
Got a go-to spot for a can’t-miss breaded pork tenderloin? Or better yet, does your restaurant serve one worth bragging about? Either way, it’s time to step up. The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) is kicking off the 2026 Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin...
Dairy campaign targets more family use
A new consumer campaign from Dairy Management, Inc. is designed to help families rethink the role dairy can play throughout the day. The Dairy Does More campaign is built around the idea that consumers often have blind spots when it comes to the foods they enjoy,...
