Top Stories
Corn harvest begins as U.S. crop condition continues to decline
The U.S. corn harvest is underway as farmers enter the final stages of a growing season marked by uneven weather and declining crop conditions. USDA's latest Crop Progress report showed 5% of the nation's corn had been harvested as of Sept. 6, compared with the five-year average of 3%. About 25% of the crop had reached maturity. However, only 56% of the crop was rated good to excellent, down another percentage point from the previous week and the lowest rating of the 2026 growing season....
Iowa water quality progress requires everyone at the table
Clean water is not solely a rural concern or an urban concern. Water moves across property lines, through communities, into rivers, and eventually downstream. Whatever reaches it moves with it. That makes Iowa’s water quality challenge a shared problem, even though...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour sparks new questions over corn yield
The final Pro Farmer Crop Tour numbers surprised many traders, particularly on the corn side. However, commodity analyst Mike Zuzolo says his own survey of farmers painted a different picture- one that was actually closer to USDA's August estimates. Zuzolo says the...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-23-26)
It’s the dry season in South America, and the forecasts definitely reflect that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this isn’t a huge problem yet, but they are monitoring the weather. McBride said harvest progress is behind in Brazil, but it is approaching...
Senator Grassley responds to beef import plan
Last Friday President Trump announced the administration's plan to allow an additional 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef imports over the next 90 days. In a social media post, President Trump said the beef would sell at roughly 25% below market prices to help...
Secretary Naig and INREC expand nitrogen soil sampling project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced the expansion of the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that delivers free nitrogen soil testing for farmers in counties upstream from the Des Moines and...
Fertilizer concentration concerns Iowa Corn leadership
A concentrated fertilizer industry and stubbornly high prices are drawing increased scrutiny from farmers and federal investigators. The United States Department of Justice is reportedly investigating several leading fertilizer producers to determine whether pricing...
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More Ag News
Iowa soybean farmers urged to watch for red crown rot as disease spreads
Soybean farmers seeing signs of sudden death syndrome are being urged to inspect plants closely for red crown rot, an emerging disease that can produce nearly identical leaf symptoms. Iowa State University Extension confirmed red crown rot last week in a southeastern...
USDA implementing three-stage cattle import protocol
After halting imports to limit the spread of New World Screwworm, the U.S. is importing cattle from Mexico once again. As imports resume, a three-stage protection protocol will help to control the further spread of NWS in the U.S. Alan Huddleston, USDA acting chief...
Iowa field trials show biological treatment differences
Wet conditions earlier this growing season created opportunities for disease development in Iowa fields, even as much of the state's corn and soybean crop continues to show strong yield potential. NewLeaf Symbiotics plant pathologist Allison Jack recently traveled...
Muhlbauer talks top ag issues facing Iowa farmers
Global wars, supply chain issues, and volatile market prices have created a difficult ag economy across the board. Farmers and producers are searching for solutions that can help them to not only navigate this economy but improve their financial standing as well. Dave...
Iowa farmers closely watching as corn futures climb above $5
August is often when the picture begins to clear up on yields and the market begins to gain confidence in the numbers. Although there is a wide range of factors that are exerting influence on the corn marketplace right now, traders are betting on smaller yields than...
