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U.S. farm numbers decline for second straight year, USDA says
The number of farms in the United States fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a long-term decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. According to USDA’s annual Land in Farms report, the total number of farms dropped to about 1.865 million last year, down from roughly 1.88 million in 2024. The decline spanned nearly all size and sales categories, with smaller operations — particularly those reporting $1,000 to $9,999 in annual sales — posting the...
Iowa Ag concerns tied to outdated policies
The clock is ticking on the long-overdue Farm Bill, with just three months left before Congress may be forced to extend it for yet another year. That would push the current bill—already outdated—more than halfway through a second life it was never intended to have....
Extreme heat creating concerns for Iowa’s livestock and crops
The extreme heat in recent days has felt more like late July or August and is causing stress for livestock and crops in Iowa. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the more immediate concern is for livestock. High humidity and overnight temperatures in the upper 70s and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-26-25)
Export sales are looking good ahead of the Quarterly Grain Stocks report that will be released next Monday. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales were especially great in the latest data. Soybeans also looked good this week, which is a far cry...
Tar spot has already been observed in East Central Iowa
Pollination is quickly approaching for corn and soybeans, and it’s important to make sure that crops are performing at a high level in order to maximize yields down the road. Diseases can enter and impact a field very quickly, so prevention is key to disease...
Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, launches nationwide CEO search
Landus is launching a nationwide search for its next Chief Executive Officer. Since April, the Board of Directors and interim CEO Sam Caton have met with farmer-owners and employees to gather feedback. Their input has been crucial in identifying the qualities needed...
Naig reports encouraging crop conditions in much of Iowa
Before planters even rolled into Iowa fields this spring, there were early warnings that a hot and dry summer could pose serious challenges for the 2025 growing season. While summer is still in its first week, crop conditions across much of the state are holding up...
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IFB celebrates Farm Bureau Day at 2025 Iowa State Fair
Farm Bureau Park is one of the top locations at the Iowa State Fair, and that’s especially true during Farm Bureau Day, which took place on August 12th. It’s a great opportunity to visit with producers and connect them with consumers for a great educational...
Farmland real estate values hit record high
A new USDA report on farmland shows the highest values in history. USDA’s Land Values Summary confirmed another increase in the value of U.S. farmland. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the value rose 4.3 percent- which comes out...
“Bud” claims the crown of Super Bull at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
The champion of the 2025 Iowa State Fair Big Bull competition is “Bud,” a 3,110-pound Angus bull owned by Mark Till of Maquoketa. Till acquired the 7-year-old bull as a five-year-old from John and Bridget Costello of Delmar. Mark Till tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio...
Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Awards presented to 40 farm families at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
Governor Kim Reynolds, Lieutenant Governor Chris Cournoyer, Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, and Department of Natural Resources Director Kayla Lyon honored 40 Iowa farm families with the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award. This prestigious award celebrates...
Iowa farmers voice concerns to Ernst & cabinet officials
The Iowa State Fair is a place of celebration, tradition, and community pride, but this year’s festivities are unfolding against a backdrop of economic strain. For many farmers walking the fairgrounds, the joy of reconnecting with friends and showcasing agriculture is...
