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South American Weather and Crop Update (4-28-26)
The weather in Brazil is continuing to dry out, which is causing concerns as the crops go through the critical pollination phase. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said harvest is slowly getting underway in Argentina, and while some of the progress is lagging behind, there aren’t any major concerns yet. McBride said there could be some slight adjustments to the South American crop around the next WASDE report if...
Red meat exports mixed to start 2026
U.S. red meat exports were mixed in January, with pork exports trending higher year-over-year and beef trending lower according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were led by another outstanding performance...
Fertilizer supplies and prices are major concerns in 2026
As planting season quickly approaches, now is not the time for there to be questions about the fertilizer supply. The current problems in the Middle East could have a major impact on fertilizer supplies and prices for 2026 and possibly even 2027. Louisiana State...
U.S. ethanol exports slip to start the year
U.S. ethanol exports declined slightly at the start of 2026, reflecting shifting global fuel demand and changing trade flows in the biofuels market. Exports totaled roughly 212 million gallons in January, down about 4% from the previous month, according to industry...
Diversified markets supporting U.S. soybean demand
U.S. soybean exports wrapped up 2025 stronger than many expected, even as trade tensions created challenges in some key markets. According to Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the year finished with the third-highest total soy complex exports ever...
New biomanufacturing device makes biological production more accessible
Researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) have developed a biomanufacturing device that could make it much more feasible for companies to produce biological products on a small scale. Funded by BioMADE, the Continuous Taylor Vortex Fermentor-Extractor-Separator...
What to expect in the Prospective Plantings Report
The 2026 USDA Prospective Plantings Report is scheduled for release on Tuesday March 31st. The report surveys farmer planting intentions for major crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and more. This report gives us the first real snapshot of what planted acreage...
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More Ag News
Rising fuel prices renew push for E15 access
Rising fuel prices and global tensions are once again putting a spotlight on domestic energy options, including higher ethanol blends like E15. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says situations impacting global oil markets serve as a reminder of why expanding...
Feenstra working to make Iowa the most ag and business-friendly state
Today is National Ag Day, and Iowa farmers are a huge part of the nation’s ag industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra announced the Farmers for Feenstra coalition, a group of over 100 Iowa farmers who are committed to joining his efforts to make Iowa the most...
Spring bird migration enhances HPAI threat
The spring migratory season brings with it the renewed threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, is reminding farmers and others to take all necessary precautions. The...
Examining ways to lower fertilizer and fuel costs
The United States war in Iran is contributing to higher input costs for farmers. Fertilizer and fuel costs are rising due to the slowdown of shipping and inability to transport goods safely through Middle East shipping lanes. This is adding to the costs of nitrogen...
Farmers get less than six cents of every dollar spent on food
Data from the U.S. Economic Research Service’s Food Dollar Series provides a clear picture of how consumer food spending is distributed across the U.S. food supply chain. The latest estimates show that crop producers capture about 2.5 cents of every food dollar, down...
