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Farmers face another year of tight margins
U.S. farmers are entering another growing season with tight profit margins as lower crop prices, elevated input costs, and trade uncertainty weigh on the outlook for 2026. Corn and soybean prices remain below levels seen during recent highs, while expenses for fertilizer, fuel, seed, and machinery continue to pressure farm budgets. Economists say many producers may break even or post losses unless yields are strong or markets improve later this year. Dakota News Now reports some growers are...
Ernst backs Glen Smith, USDA restructuring plan
Another Iowan could soon be stepping into a key USDA leadership role, while the department also looks to reshape how it operates across the country. Senator Joni Ernst says Glen Smith is moving through the confirmation process for a USDA under secretary role, calling...
Fareway and Murphy Family Foundation team up for 6th annual food donation
This past Tuesday, the Murphy Family Foundation teamed up with Fareway for the sixth year in a row of donating Easter meal kits to the Food Bank of Iowa. Food insecurity is still more present than ever across the state, and these meal kits will provide a sense of...
Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture’s impact
Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the report tracks three layers of impact. Munch said when you combine those...
Hog inventories up in March
The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from USDA shows an increase in inventories. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell says the total number of hogs in the U.S. is up compared to this time a year ago. McConnell says hog inventories remain stable, adding that...
Secretary Naig issues statement on the Trump administration’s RFS volumes
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized strong renewable volume obligations (RVO) within the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026 and 2027: “Biofuels lower costs at the...
Ernst: 45Z must reflect Iowa farm practices
As federal agencies continue working through the rulemaking process for the 45Z clean fuel production credit, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the final guidance must reflect the work farmers are already doing on the ground. She says she and Senator Chuck Grassley have...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-2-26)
The Quarterly Grain Stocks report showed that demand for soybeans is not where it should be. The weekly export sales stayed in line with that data. Jason Meyer of AgMarket.Net gave a breakdown of the report and said that U.S. bean prices aren’t able to compete with...
Diesel prices hit record highs
Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride ever since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran. Initially, oil prices moved higher, but last week, oil prices dipped after President Trump paused attacks on Iran. But since those have resumed, oil prices have...
USTR’s Callahan previews 2026 ag trade priorities
US Ag trade negotiator Julie Callahan previewed the administration’s ag trade goals for this year at a recent Agri-Pulse forum. Callahan says the “bumper sticker” version of USTR’s recent Ag policy report is “full speed ahead” on the administration’s “America First...
Farm bill draft reignites debate over pesticide regulation
The newly introduced farm bill proposal is drawing sharp reactions from environmental advocates over provisions that could reshape pesticide regulation nationwide. The legislation, backed by leaders in Congress and informed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...
Midwest Dairy report shows demand growth
Midwest Dairy’s newly released 2025 Annual Report gives farmers a detailed look at how their checkoff dollars were invested across the ten-state region, with a focus on growing dairy demand, strengthening consumer trust, and supporting future industry leadership....
