Top Stories
December adjustments to USDA beef production and steer price forecasts
USDA made slight adjustments to the beef production forecast for 2025 and 2026 in the December beef outlook. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains the alterations. USDA also adjusted month over month steer prices lower for both 2025 and 2026. Jekanowski says the beef production increase both years points to heavier weights of steers. He points to recent price weakness in cash and future prices for the lower price projections.
Jay Theiler of Agri Beef Company elected chair of USMEF
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis Friday with election of new officers. Chairing USMEF for the 2025-26 term is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company in Boise,...
Naig: USDA is back and Iowans stayed committed
The federal government is back open following the longest shutdown in United States history. Congress reached an agreement late last week, the President signed it, and agencies have been working their way back to normal ever since. USDA entered the restart period in a...
Grain markets react negatively to November WASDE
Friday brought us the first WASDE report in two months, and the markets had lofty expectations. However, the figures from this report were disappointing and caused a negative reaction in the grain prices to end the week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said...
Increased biofuel demand could boost farm economy
At a time when the farm economy is facing a downward turn, farmers and ranchers are looking for expanded market opportunities. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said increased biofuel production could be one avenue to increase farm...
The push for a skinny farm bill before the end of the year
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked on Friday if a skinny farm bill can be passed before the end of the year. Grassley says that Senate Ag Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) is working towards that goal. Grassley expands on the landscape of the Senate and potential...
From the show ring to the Ronald McDonald House
What began in the show ring at the Iowa State Fairgrounds came full circle this fall as youth exhibitors from the 43rd Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show reunited to deliver the true impact of their summer’s work. Their efforts extended beyond dollars raised to...
Video
More Ag News
Producers urged to rethink screwworm wound risks
Producers have received plenty of updates from USDA about New World Screwworm, most of which focus on border surveillance, wildlife movement, and federal protocols. But the greatest threat to livestock may not be at the border at all. It may be on the farm, where...
CLAAS FARMPOINT can bring repairs to the field
Fourteen months ago, Ziegler Ag that it would no longer do parts services or sales for CLAAS combines. Since then, CLAAS has started several FARMPOINT locations in Iowa in order to fill in that service void. Daryl Theis, head of sales and marketing at CLAAS, said they...
Questions remain with U.S.-China trade deal
It’s been an interesting time in the soybean market, especially when it comes to trade with China. Initially, it was great to hear that the U.S. and China agreed to a trade framework that included China making U.S. soybean purchases. Jim McCormick, chief operating...
Record ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand
U.S. ethanol exports climbed sharply in August, driven by record sales to Canada and the European Union, federal trade data show. Shipments reached 188.8 million gallons, a 15% increase from July and 24% higher than a year earlier. Canada remained the top buyer at...
Revised USDA report schedule released
On Thursday USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service issued an updated release schedule for reports impacted by the recent government shutdown. Lance Honig of the National Agricultural Statistics Service says some of the reports can be released more quickly...
