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Trump administration announces $1.34B investment in domestic fertilizer production
Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins today announced eight fertilizer manufacturing projects that will receive funding through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Fertilizer Investment & Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply (FIELDS) Program. The eight selected projects represent over $1.34 billion in total proposed investment, which includes roughly $573 million in proposed funding from the USDA. This move comes as farmers navigate...
Diesel tax relief is appreciated, but costs are still high
Earlier this week, President Trump made an executive order to temporarily allow tax-free dyed diesel to be used on highways and defer the federal diesel tax through the end of the year. While farm groups are welcoming any relief this move could provide, many say the...
Fall warmth kickstarts harvest in Iowa
After an abnormally wet September, drier conditions have returned to some of the key row crop growing regions of the country in October. USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the drier conditions are leading to a slow and steady return to harvest activity in...
Farm bill expiration leaves rural programs in uncertainty
The latest extension of the 2018 Farm Bill expired September 30, leaving Congress without a new long-term agriculture policy. The Farm Bill covers farm safety-net programs, conservation, crop insurance, food assistance, and other programs important to rural America....
Earlier planted soybeans reshape waterhemp management
Earlier soybean planting has become increasingly common as growers look to extend the growing season and capture more yield potential. But that shift can also change the timing of one of the crop's biggest weed management challenges. BASF Technical Marketing Manager...
Secretary Rollins announces funding for new Seed Sovereignty Initiative
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins was in Prairie City, Iowa, today to announce a $180 million investment into a new Seed Sovereignty Initiative, which aims to protect valuable plant genetics resources and enable breakthroughs in U.S. agriculture innovation. Rollins said...
Grassley discusses approval of off-road diesel in agricultural and trucking equipment
Today, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced actions temporarily allowing farmers to use non-taxed, off-road diesel in agricultural and trucking equipment that support on-road harvest activities. The action will provide some federal and state fuel tax relief for...
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Global fertilizer disruptions raise concerns for Iowa farmers
As Iowa farmers prepare for fall fertilizer applications, questions about supplies and prices are becoming increasingly important. Continued conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global fertilizer markets, while trade uncertainty between the United States and...
USDA surprises markets yet again in October WASDE
Once again, the USDA went against expectations for the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The major surprise in the October WASDE was the increase of the corn yield by 2.7 bushels per acre to 181.2 bpa, which raised production...
Ethanol exports on track to hit another record
Ethanol exports are on track to set another record according to USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg. Lindberg says that new and expanded overseas markets are increasing foreign demand and driving a likely third record year of...
NCBA says MCOOL wouldn’t drive beef demand
The Senate Agriculture Committee's version of the Farm Bill includes mandatory country of origin labeling. This comes after a significant push for consumer transparency. However, National Cattlemen's Beef Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan...
USDA announces $1.8 billion in 2026 conservation program payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to agricultural producers and landowners for their participation in key conservation programs for 2026. These payments...
