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U.S. Export Sales Report (2-20-26)
The weekly export sales report was significantly overshadowed by trade deal news and the Supreme Court’s decision to rule against President Trump’s tariff authority, but that doesn’t change the fact that both the corn and soybean markets saw uncharacteristically good sales for this time of year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this should hopefully bring the corn ending stocks down. McBride said the bean sales weren’t particularly great in a vacuum, but they are relatively high...
Managing nitrogen loss following recent Iowa rainfall
Recent rainfall in the state of Iowa has led to nitrogen loss concerns for many growers. After periods of intense or excessive rain, naturally farmers begin to have concerns about nitrogen loss in their fields. Mark Christianson is a product manager with Helena and he...
GDM announces agreement to acquire AgReliant Genetics
GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, today announced an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in AgReliant Genetics, a leading North American provider of corn and soybean seeds. The strategic...
Iowa corn disease pressure builds early
Tar Spot has been detected early in Iowa cornfields, raising concerns for farmers as they prepare to implement their crop protection plans. The fungal disease, which can spread rapidly under the right conditions, is showing up weeks ahead of typical timelines in some...
“Big Beautiful Bill” would exacerbate food insecurity in Iowa
While legislative battles rage on in Washington D.C., food banks across the country are struggling to get enough food to feed those who are in need. Not only are USDA donations halted, but the “Big Beautiful Bill” threatens to cut SNAP benefits if it is passed, which...
Latest hog and pig report shows bearish market conditions for Iowa producers
The latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report indicates bearish market conditions. Total inventory of animals is up compared to the previous report. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the latest report contained some big numbers. On the...
Des Moines Water Works feeling the strain from elevated nitrate levels
On June 12th Central Iowa Water Works issued a residential and commercial lawn watering ban citing strain on water treatment facilities because of elevated nitrate concentration in raw source waters. The press release from CIWW says “Central Iowa Water Works needs to...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-15-25)
This week’s U.S. Export Sales report had big numbers for the markets to digest, which is great for this time of year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said new crop corn sales were particularly strong and set another record for this week. McBride said this...
Ag land market remains resilient
Despite ongoing challenges, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025. According to the Farmers National Company, the resilience is mainly driven by simple supply and demand; there are more motivated buyers than willing sellers. While...
Iowa’s young exhibitors show agriculture’s future is strong
Each year at the Iowa State Fair, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show draws crowds eager to see outstanding cattle and the young people who raise them. The event pairs youth exhibitors with celebrities and other Iowa leaders, all in support of the Ronald McDonald House...
August WASDE threw a curveball at the corn markets
With trade uncertainty on the minds of many farmers, the USDA threw the corn market a curveball. The August WASDE report gave farmers and ranchers across the country an interesting look into how production might look this fall. Faith Parum, an economist with the...
449 Century and Heritage Farm families honored at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson honored 449 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same...
