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CoBank projects increased soybean acres in 2026
A new report from CoBank said farmers may be planting more soybeans in 2026. Tanner Ehmke, the lead economist for grains and oilseeds, talked about the numbers. Ehmke said most of the basis price problems appear to be limited to the Dakotas. On the other hand, multiple factors seem to favor more soybeans. For more information, visit cobank.com.
Trade mission to Peru is underway
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely arrived in Lima, Peru, this week to begin an agribusiness trade mission to expand market access. The goal is to boost U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru....
Brazil’s corn crop surges, exports dip
Brazil continues to pose strong competition in global agricultural trade, and 2025 will be no different. With favorable weather and solid market positioning, the conditions are aligning for another strong year for Brazilian crop production and exports. This growing...
Rural America helping to power AI innovation
Rural America is becoming the home of more data centers to power artificial intelligence. Jeff Johnston, Lead Economist for Infrastructure with CoBank, says the rural areas of the United States are helping to lead the charge forward for AI technology. Johnston says...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-10-25)
Much of the forecast for Brazil and Argentina has remained the same week-over-week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an explanation of the latest weather patterns in South America. Safrinha harvest progress in Brazil is behind the yearly average, but...
Deadline extended for AFBF Ag Innovation Challenge
Aspiring entrepreneurs now have more time to complete their applications for the Ag Innovation Challenge. The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), in partnership with Farm Credit, has extended the deadline to register for the 2026 Ag Innovation Challenge to June...
Crafting the message for the consumer
Taste What Pork Can Do™ is the new industry wide consumer campaign from the National Pork Board. The campaign is similar in size and scope to successful campaigns of the past such as Pork, The Other White Meat. Kiersten Hafer with the National Pork Board says the...
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Heat dome ridge led to derecho in Upper Midwest
The Midwest heat dome is finally broken, and temperatures are now much more pleasant. The heat dome didn’t leave quietly, though, as it caused a derecho to form and tear across much of the Upper Midwest. Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said a “ring of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-31-25)
This week’s export sales were back to the great pace that we saw for a while. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said new crop corn sales set a record for this week. On the other hand, McBride said the new crop soybean sales are concerning. McBride said some...
Grassley addresses the chances of a farm bill in 2025
After Congress included farm bill improvements in the reconciliation bill, talk in Washington D.C. shifted to crafting a “skinny farm bill” before the end of 2025. The scaled down version of the traditional farm bill would address the remaining ag programs that were...
Ag groups support new trade deals
A series of new trade deals between the United States and countries around the world will directly benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. Groups like the American Farm Bureau support the agreements, noting that strong and enduring agreements help connect U.S. farmers...
Iowa farmers facing tough fungicide calls
Wetter conditions and warmer temperatures have set the stage for a more active disease season in Iowa corn fields. Tar spot and northern corn leaf blight have already made their presence known in several areas, and concern is growing as the crop nears critical...
