Top Stories
Trade policy affecting farmer voting decisions nationwide
Midterm elections are less than a week away, and the farm community has been a hot topic among many of the candidates running for office. There are many ag issues to consider, but one of the most impactful issues from the federal government has been the Trump administration’s trade policy. President Trump’s aggressive tactics have brought in both wins and losses for the farm economy. Ron Baumgarten, who served as Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative in the first Trump administration,...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-14-26)
As harvest continues in the United States, farmers in Brazil and Argentina are planting for the next crop season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said planting progress in Brazil is...
Soybean checkoff looks ahead after 35 years
With tight margins continuing to squeeze farm budgets, soybean producers are scrutinizing every dollar they spend. That includes their investments in the soybean checkoff, which has spent the past 35 years developing markets and creating additional demand for American...
Harvest pace per USDA Mid-October progress report
Despite the slower than usual pace of harvest for parts of the Midwest and Corn Belt, including Iowa, other regions of the country have made substantial progress. How are major row crops coming along with their harvest progress as October approaches its midway point?...
EPA Proposes restoring biofuel volumes exempted from refinery requirements
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday a proposal to restore renewable fuel blending requirements affected by additional small refinery exemptions, a move intended to protect demand for American corn and soybeans. The EPA said exemptions granted for 2025...
John Deere Foundation announces $18.5 million investment in food bank system
Today, the John Deere Foundation announced an $18.5 million multi-year Farm-to-Plate strategy to address food insecurity in the Midwest. The investment will support Feeding America partner food banks, recover farm-grown food, and connect over one hundred Iowa farmers...
AFBF encouraged by progress on Renewable Fuel Standard
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin was in Peosta, Iowa, today to announce a draft rule to reallocate renewable fuel volumes lost through small refinery exemptions. The rule would provide 100 percent reallocation of the renewable fuel volume...
Video
More Ag News
Harvest is a good time to think about changes for next year
Plenty of rain has caused harvest delays and yield losses in fields across the state. While nothing can be changed about that at this point in the crop year, now is still a good time to make observations of what things can be improved for next year. Landus Cooperative...
August beef exports above last year while pork trended lower
Fueled by a near-record performance in Taiwan and a rebound in South Korea, August exports of U.S. beef increased year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports reached 86,362 metric tons (mt)...
More farmers using drones than ever
Just a few years ago, drones were a novelty in the agricultural world. Today they are being used in ever increasing numbers and are becoming a major part of farming operations across the country. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation,...
Chinese buyers book another large round of U.S. soybeans
Chinese state-owned trading firms have purchased another 10 to 13 cargoes of U.S. soybeans, adding to a major round of buying earlier this week and signaling renewed demand from China. Reuters reports the latest purchases are scheduled for shipment between December...
Soybean checkoff partnerships drive new market opportunities
The uses for American soybeans have expanded well beyond traditional food and livestock feed markets. From renewable fuels and building materials to everyday products, soybeans are finding their way into an increasing number of applications. Developing those markets,...
