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U.S. cropland value surpasses $6,000 per acre for first time
The average value of U.S. cropland has climbed above $6,000 per acre for the first time, underscoring the resilience of farmland prices despite weaker farm income and tighter profit margins. New data compiled by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service show average cropland values reached just over $6,000 per acre in 2026, extending a multiyear trend of rising land prices. The USDA has reported that farmland values have continued to appreciate since 2021, driven by limited land...
Iowa delegation finds Ag opportunities in India
Governor Kim Reynolds recently led a trade delegation to India, marking Iowa’s second visit to the country in less than a year. Joining her were Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig, business leaders, and representatives from agriculture, who met with officials and industry...
Keeping up with evolving crop diseases and pests
Crop diseases and pests tend to adapt and evolve quickly, so it’s important that the available seed hybrids are able to change along with them. Dustin Bowling, LG Seeds brand product manager, said they brought a healthy number of new varieties to market this year....
Golden Harvest expands access to GHX digital agronomy tools
The GHX platform was introduced in fall 2022 and offers digital agronomy tools to growers with custom seed recommendations, field specific insights for scouting, weather, and yield tracking, and financial tools. Andy Lee of Golden Harvest tells the Iowa Ag Radio...
ELRP applications for flood and wildfire now open
Applications are now open for the Emergency Livestock Relief Program for Flood and Wildfire, which is meant to help farmers and ranchers cover part of extra feed costs associated with these types of natural disasters. American Farm Bureau economist Danny Munch said...
RFA cautiously optimistic about EPA’s renewable volume reallocation proposal
The Renewable Fuels Association today said it is encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency’s new proposal to ensure that renewable fuel volumes lost to small refinery exemptions in 2023-2025 will be reallocated to future RFS standards. EPA is co-proposing two...
The most valuable commodity? Getting home safe
Next week is Farm Safety Week, and it’s a good reminder for all of us in agriculture to think carefully about how we approach safety during harvest. But the truth is, one week of reminders won’t cut it. Safety has to stick with us through the whole season, because the...
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Lenders want clear plans as farmers seek 2026 credit
Farmers are already looking ahead to the next growing season, and that means it is time to start preparing for an operating line of credit for 2026. Lenders want to see more than a basic snapshot of your plans. They want a clear picture of how you intend to manage the...
A growing season of variability in Iowa
Each growing season is different and the growing season in Iowa this year has been defined by a wide range of outcomes. Yields across the state have varied based on several conditions but primarily rainfall timing and disease pressure. The growing season got off to...
Used cooking oil still negatively affecting soybean oil prices
The Trump administration continues to delay the release of the final rules for the 45z tax credit, which is allowing used cooking oil to remain as a thorn in the side of the soybean oil industry. Kenan Layden, hedging strategist with AgMarket.Net, said the delay is...
AFBF Thanksgiving Survey shows slightly lower costs in 2025
Every year, volunteer shoppers from the American Farm Bureau Federation help determine the average cost of feeding ten people for a Thanksgiving meal. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving Cost Survey results show a slight dip in costs this year....
Iowa State Fair economic and community impact study results
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the state's largest event and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. A 2025 study conducted by Johnson Consulting found that the economic impact from the Iowa State Fair...
