Top Stories
Signs and myths regarding mental health in U.S. agriculture
Mental health in the farming and ranching community has never been more important than it is now, given the challenges facing U.S. agriculture. Linda Emmanuel, a farmer and the agricultural health liaison for the AgriSafe Network, highlighted some misconceptions about mental health in the farming community. Emmanuel dove into another myth regarding suicide and mental health. According to her, having a conversation about suicide with someone won’t plant the idea in their brain. She continued by...
Less corn production expected from South American nations
South American corn production forecasts were adjusted lower in the February USDA WASDE report. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says the weather is to blame in Argentina. Brazil’s corn production forecast was also reduced by 1 million tons says...
U.S. Soy announces national NEXTILE design challenge winners
What’s the next wave of sustainable fashion? The answer...soy-based textiles which are on the rise. To spur innovation in this space, U.S. Soy announces Clara Padgham from the University of Wisconsin-Madison as the national winner of the NEXTILE: The Soy in Textile...
Conservation ag funding is stuck in Farm Bill fiasco
The failure to pass a new farm bill has left critical agricultural programs in limbo, creating uncertainty for farmers and rural communities nationwide. Among the many casualties of this legislative gridlock is funding for climate-smart agriculture, which helps...
Feenstra supporting legislation to exempt farm assets from FAFSA
For years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has not been kind to college students in farming families. Due to some flaws in the program, farmers must label their machinery, land, and small businesses as liquid assets, even though they are not...
Management strategies are vital to controlling resistant weeds
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa held its annual Agribusiness Showcase & Conference last week in Altoona. The event brings together professionals in agriculture to discuss the latest trends and technologies. The showcase also features educational sessions and...
Demand for U.S. beef is very strong in Mexico’s foodservice sector
U.S. beef is thriving in Mexico’s foodservice and hospitality sectors, but each major destination in Mexico has specific product needs. Gerardo Rodriguez, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) regional director for Mexico, Central America, and the Dominican Republic,...
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More Ag News
Spring weather tests crop nutrition, protection plans
The next stage of the 2025 growing season is well underway, as crops emerge across the state and farmers shift their focus to post-emergence crop protection. With applications on the horizon, timing and field conditions will be key. Spring started off warm and dry,...
Insecticide-resistant soybean aphids pose a challenge to Iowa farmers
For a few years, soybean aphids weren’t too much of a problem in Iowa. However, last year was a wake-up call for farmers in Northern Iowa especially. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical services representative for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, said that soybean aphids...
Mental Health Awareness Month is especially important for agriculture
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Farmers and ranchers experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to the general population. This is due to many factors, including financial strain and weather-related stress. Dr. Larry Tranel, a dairy field...
Farmland prices began to soften in 2024
2024 was the cooling period for farmland prices after several years of quickly rising farmland values. Randy Dickhut, farmland sales expert with Agricultural Economic Insights, says fluctuating farmland prices are a typical pattern over a multi-year period. According...
Iowa cash rents drop in 2025
The 2025 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9 percent in 2025 to $271 per acre. It’s the first decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre during the previous two years of the survey....
