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Grain markets brace for key USDA reports
Grain traders are positioning for one of the most closely watched government report releases of the year as USDA prepares to issue its Planted Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports on Tuesday. Market analysts say the reports could significantly influence corn, soybean and wheat prices by providing updated estimates of planted acreage and remaining grain supplies. A recent survey by Kluis Commodity Advisors and Successful Farming suggested farmers planted more corn acres and fewer soybean...
Looking at tar spot in 2025
Every growing season brings us challenges. I wouldn’t call them “new” or “different” challenges for the most part. Most of them are things we have seen before but in different levels and combinations. While disease pressure is not anything new, tar spot has become a...
HPAI detected in a multi-species backyard flock in Clinton County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in...
Practical Farmers of Iowa supporting cover crop businesses
For many years, farmers have learned about the benefits of cover crops on their farms. There are plenty of cover crop seed and application businesses to help farmers utilize cover crops, but those businesses can be tough to run and develop, especially if the owners...
Second Trump administration could bring change to trade relations
Will a second administration of President Donald Trump bring progress on trade negotiations with key global partners? U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said exporters will be watching discussions with all trading partners, but...
Senate Majority Leader Thune sets out priorities, including farm bill
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated his priorities for Senate lawmakers, including a new farm bill, as the 119th Congress takes office to begin 2025. Thune says his rural upbringing led him to value the land, agriculture, and the importance of...
Ethanol production grows for fourth consecutive week
The Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.111 million barrels a day during the week ending on December 27. This was the fourth consecutive week-over-week increase, up from 1.107 million barrels a day during the prior week. In the...
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Farm bankruptcies climbing in 2025
Farm bankruptcies grew 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are trending even higher in 2025. Farmers are continuing to struggle with low prices for their agricultural commodities and the high costs of inputs needed to grow those crops. Bloomberg says unpredictable...
John Deere unveils their 2026 line of combines
Even as the 2025 planting season begins, many growers already have their eyes on harvest. For most, that means evaluating the performance of one of the most critical machines in their operation—the combine. With efficiency and grain quality at the forefront of your...
Farmers will use new Xitavo soybean genetics in 2025
Farmers will be able to use new genetics in their Xitavo soybean seeds this year from BASF. Prior to this growing season, only four companies comprised 98% of the soybean breeding industry. Bill Backhaus, BASF soybean agronomist, said the new genetics are exclusive to...
Spring showers supplying beneficial rainfall this week
It has already been an active weather week in Iowa with rain showers and storms across the state to begin the seven-day stretch. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the active weather pattern is good news for pasture and rangeland and spring planted crops. Showers...
USGC: Value of ag exports passes $28 billion
The U.S. Grains Council updated its Value of Grains Exports study with the latest available information about the financial benefits of ag exports to communities around the country. “The value of export markets for the U.S. agricultural industry cannot be understated...
