Top Stories
US hog inventory edges lower; productivity ticks up
The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 73.7 million head as of June 1, down slightly from a year earlier and from March, USDA said Thursday in its quarterly report. Market hogs accounted for 67.8 million head, while 5.88 million were kept for breeding, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the smaller herd, production indicators improved. Producers weaned 33.5 million pigs from March through May, slightly above last year, with an average of 11.87 pigs per...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-14-26)
This week’s export sales were mostly a repeat of recent trends once again. However, there were a few notable differences. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said old crop corn sales were lacking, but that market has been so strong recently that this is a minor...
Latest Cattle on Feed Report hints at minor herd rebuild
April’s USDA Cattle on Feed Report provided a breakdown of steers and heifers on feed with heifers falling to 37 percent of the total on-feed inventory. Typically, this is the initial signaling of herd rebuilding. ShayLe Stewart, a livestock market analyst with DTN,...
Year-round E15 passes House by the skin of its teeth
After years of delays, temporary waivers, court battles, and political fights, the U.S. House approved nationwide year-round E15 legislation Wednesday evening, though not without another dramatic procedural showdown along the way. The House passed the measure by a 218...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-13-26)
Despite weather concerns for the crops in Brazil, the USDA increased the crop projections for both Brazil and Argentina in the latest WASDE report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said he was expecting to see a cut to the Brazil crop, which is still possible...
Farm Bureau leader sounds alarm on fertilizer prices
As planting season is in full swing across the country, fertilizer prices are burdening farmers and ranchers. Kentucky Farm Bureau president Eddie Melton spoke to the Senate ag committee Tuesday and expressed his concerns. Melton said there are actions Congress can...
Previewing President Trump’s visit to China and ag trade topics
United States President Donald Trump and Xi Jinping, the President of China, are scheduled to meet this week in Beijing. The meetings will take place on May 14th and 15th with the two sides expected to discuss trade and tariffs, the conflict in Iran and the Strait of...
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More Ag News
White mold – the invisible soybean killer
Planting season will be over before we know it, and, unfortunately, that means plant diseases need to be a top priority for farmers to keep track of. In 2024 alone, white mold cost soybean farmers an estimated $281.1 million in yield losses, and the management window...
Stay food safe as grilling season kicks off
The Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of the summer grilling season. USDA’s Food Safety Expert Meredith Carothers said with the warmer weather, it’s important to protect against food safety risks. Carothers said the two-hour rule about leaving perishable...
Infrastructure expansion vital to U.S. fertilizer production
On Tuesday Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provided updates on federal efforts to expand domestic fertilizer production. To increase fertilizer production capabilities, infrastructure improvements and upgrades are necessary and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is...
U.S. farmers lost $15 billion to tariffs
Recent studies by North Dakota State University revealed that U.S. tariffs and resulting retaliatory actions are driving significant economic losses for American agriculture, heavily impacting exports and raising farming costs. The study found that retaliatory tariffs...
Naig highlights bipartisan wins for Iowa agriculture
The Iowa Legislature wrapped up its 2026 session with several agriculture-related priorities crossing the finish line, including the bipartisan Iowa Farm Act and a major water quality and infrastructure funding package. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig said the...
