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California E15 approval estimated to absorb 200 million bushels of corn
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales last week is expected to boost corn demand at a time growers are preparing to harvest a record crop. The law is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and will be a big breakthrough for the ethanol industry. The Renewable Fuels Association’s Troy Bredenkamp says that once Governor Newsom signs the E15 bill, California will become the largest E15 consuming state in the country. Bredenkamp adds that this comes at a time when US corn...
Iowa crops blessed so far, challenges loom
The 2025 growing season has brought a mix of promise and uncertainty to Iowa's farmlands. After years of drought conditions, this year’s plentiful rains have blessed the crops with lush growth, particularly across much of the Corn Belt. However, while the green fields...
Multiple modes of action are key to fighting resistant fungal disease
The state of Iowa has received consistent rainfall this summer and created concerns about fungal disease pressure for the stretch run of the growing season. Fungicide use has continued to increase in recent years and that has built some worries about fungicide...
PepsiCo and Cargill boosting resilience in Iowa corn production
A new collaboration between PepsiCo and Cargill aims to bolster the resilience in the corn supply chain in Iowa by expanding regenerative ag practices across 240,000 acres of Iowa farmland by 2030. The focus on Iowa is due to the shared dependance of both companies on...
USMEF urging USTR to review access issues in Africa and the Caribbean
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is currently conducting its annual review of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which provides favorable access to the U.S. market for products from some 30 African nations. Those nations are supposed to...
Iowa Barn Foundation 25th annual all-state barn tour September 13-14
If you are looking for something different to do on a September weekend, consider taking a self-guided tour of Iowa’s historic barns. The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its 25th Annual All-State Barn Tour on Saturday and Sunday, September 13-14, featuring over 100...
Naig: Iowa still needs full Farm Bill
Farmers across the country continue to face uncertainty as they await the finalization of a long-term Farm Bill. While the recently passed reconciliation package included temporary provisions aimed at supporting agriculture, it doesn’t offer the stability producers...
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Hot and humid conditions and the impact on agriculture
This week in Iowa has been hot, humid, and wet with frequent rainfall and humidity that has stressed humans and livestock. Iowa is not alone as the United States has featured wide swaths of similar weather. The extremes of the hot and humid weather have been felt in...
Smallest U.S. cattle herd since 1973
The July Cattle on Feed Report offered little relief to customers paying higher prices for beef. That’s despite the cycle of herd liquidation that seems to be slowly ending. There were 94.2 million cattle and calves in the U.S. as of July 1, the lowest mid-year number...
Iowa farmers urged to keep tar spot from ruining bumper crop
Iowa has received plenty of rain recently, and the temperatures have finally cooled off as well. On top of that, we’re looking at one of the biggest crops in recent history. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said he’s not sure that he’s ever seen such a big...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-30-25)
The weather in South America has still not changed much, with farmers in Brazil and Argentina seeing mostly clear and dry conditions. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there are scattered rain showers, but otherwise the weather remains status quo. The dry...
Basis matters now, say Midwest ag economists
Tight corn supplies might normally trigger a rally in the market, but so far, that hasn’t been the case. Despite strong demand and dwindling stocks, futures prices have stayed relatively steady. That’s because—while the numbers show a squeeze—markets may be confident...
