Top Stories
45z tax credit is almost across the finish line
The public comment period on the 45z tax credit proposal is ending on April 5th. Since this legislation has been in the works for so long, it’s incredibly important for producers to speak up on what they want to see in it. Mitchell Hora, founder of Continuum Ag, said his company has been working hard to get the 45z tax credit over the finish line. The proposed rule was finally published in February. Hora said that, while we have strong advocates for 45z here in Iowa, the next steps lie with...
Cattle on Feed Report shows continuing tight supplies
USDA published the first Cattle on Feed Report of the year on Friday January 23rd with few surprises included. USDA livestock economist Michael McConnell says that tightening cattle and beef supplies were demonstrated in the numbers. McConnell says placements in...
U.S. soy exports continued growing in marketing year 2024-2025
The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons of U.S. soy, which included whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil, during the marketing year 2024-2025. That represents a 12.8 percent increase year-over-year and a 2.95 percent gain over the five-year...
Iowa farmers unlikely to see diesel relief from Venezuelan oil
Recent headlines surrounding Venezuela and its oil supply have raised questions across rural America, especially after the United States intervened in the country, removed a leader many viewed as a dictator, and announced it would temporarily control Venezuela’s oil...
Applications open for 2026 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Iowa Leopold Conservation Award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their own farmland. Leopold Conservation Awards, presented by the Sand County Foundation and...
Ground pork gaining traction as a great option for daily meals
As the new year gets underway, there’s growing excitement around adding more protein to the plate. Momentum is building with the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” consumer brand campaign. José de Jesús, assistant vice president of consumer marketing with the National Pork...
Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a...
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Iowa farms are re-evaluating how they use John Deere Operations Center
John Deere Operations Center is already part of many farming operations today, but how it is being used varies widely depending on equipment, connectivity, and how far a farm has gone down the precision ag path. As automation and advanced application technologies...
EPA is expected to reapprove dicamba
The Environmental Protection Agency is expected to reapprove Dicamba for over-the-top use on tolerant soybeans and cotton for the 2026 season. The Washington Post said the decision is aimed at addressing weed control challenges and will likely include stricter...
Stine Seed’s Yield Maximizer Program provides industry-leading agronomic data
No two farms are the same, so there’s no agronomic solution that will magically apply to every farm. In fact, each field on a given farm is different enough to the point where farmers can’t uniformly apply every solution. Stine Seed President Myron Stine said their...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-3-26)
The South American weather forecast has flipped from its usual pattern. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the nearby forecast is now lacking rain. McBride said the longer-term forecast has the rains they are looking for. McBride added that harvest progress...
Iowa producer engagement pays dividends
Producer voices are important and they can yield results. Ethan Lane, the senior vice president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network at NCBA’s CattleCon in Nashville that Iowa producers are...
