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Ernst says loan delays hurt Iowa growth
Farmers and rural businesses across Iowa are facing growing challenges when it comes to accessing capital. Tight margins, lower commodity prices, and rising input costs are colliding with loan processes that many lenders say have become increasingly difficult to navigate. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says those concerns were front and center during a recent Senate Small Business Committee hearing focused on rural development and agriculture. As chair of the committee, Ernst brought Iowa voices to...
Farmers should aim to use a variety of different seed genetics
Every year, farmers deal with a myriad of different crop issues. While we don’t have a crystal ball to predict exactly what issues will come up, there are a few things farmers can try to manage by diversifying their seed. AgriGold agronomist John Brien said the...
USMCA public hearings begin
Public hearings began in Washington, D.C., as part of the mandatory USMCA review process. Over 1,500 public comment-briefs have been submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Briefs were submitted by manufacturing, industrial, and retail sectors...
Global forecast: beef production to fall further in 2025
Beef production in major exporting and consuming regions is projected to decline in 2025, with global output likely to remain under pressure heading into 2026, analysts at Rabobank reported this week. The report indicates the largest volume reductions are expected in...
Pork prices holding above the cost of production
Pork supplies are similar to a year ago, even with hogs being fed to heavier weights before being sent to market. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says demand has been steady for several quarters, and prices continue to remain above the cost of production....
Purina: Cattle condition is key to breeding results
Breeding season may still feel a little ways off, but the work that determines next year’s calf crop is already underway. For beef producers, supporting cows through the stretch between calving and cycling is one of the most important management windows of the year....
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-4-25)
We’re finally seeing the export numbers for the end of October. This timeframe is when President Trump and President Xi agreed on the trade framework for U.S. soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the report confirms that China did make purchases at...
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Reporting deadline approaching for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
USDA recently announced $12 billion is available for a Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, and the first deadline for getting signed up for the financial assistance is this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, said the first...
China not honoring commitments in Phase One Agreement
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a Section 301 investigation of China’s implementation of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement, popularly known as the Phase One Agreement. A public hearing on that investigation will open tomorrow (Dec. 16)....
USDA to update Expanding Access to Risk Protection with final rule
The public comment period closes on January 27th for a final rule designed to expand producer access to crop insurance and other risk protections. USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson says the goal of the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP)...
Quarterly economic condition report for U.S. agriculture
The Farm Credit Administration received its quarterly report on economic conditions affecting agriculture and an update on the overall performance of the Farm Credit System. Despite a turbulent year with tariffs and trade, the U.S. economy is expected to end 2025 on a...
Property rights pressure rises across rural America
It is easy to assume Iowa’s fight over carbon pipelines and new transmission lines is something unique to our state. But the same pressures and frustrations are playing out across rural America. Our neighbors to the south in Missouri are confronting many of the same...
