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Notable events in the ag economy in 2025
As 2025 winds down, it is a good time to look back on the ag economy for the year. On the surface the most basic analysis is that it was a tough year for grain producers while livestock producers had a more prosperous year, especially in the cattle sector. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says there were numerous factors that affected the ag sector and ag economy this year. Meyer says that trade policy was also a central theme for the year and aid payments from the federal government were also...
China proposes a tariff-drop swap with Canada
The Chinese Ambassador recently told a Canadian national television audience that his country is willing to remove its tariffs on Canada’s pork products, seafood, and, by far the largest of the categories, canola oil, seed, and meal if Canada drops its 100 percent...
Markets stay cautious in fog of uncertainty
After some fireworks late last week, things have quieted down in the grain trade. The latest spark came as China and the United States each slapped new fees on maritime shipping from the other country. It’s another step in the ongoing trade war, but for now, markets...
Farm crisis not forgotten during shutdown
The farm crisis remains top of mind during the government shutdown and some lawmakers are sounding the alarm. That’s Mississippi Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith who says this is not a regional or political issue but one that affects all Americans. She adds that the situation...
China holding off on Brazil soybean purchases
High premiums on Brazilian cargoes are discouraging soybean buyers in China, which means the country has yet to secure much of its needed soybean supply for December and January. Reuters says the development could prompt the Chinese government to tap state reserves to...
Navigating tough decisions on fertilizer this fall
The discussion on fertilizer this fall has put a lot of farmers between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand prices for commodities are low but on the other hand fertilizer prices are elevated. That leaves the grower often wondering if they should cut back on...
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (10-16-25)
As the government shutdown persists, we still don’t have any official export numbers to look at. We can, however, look again at the weekly estimates. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are still projected to be well above the average. On the...
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More Ag News
China’s soybean purchases seen as symbolic, not transformative
It’s been months of uncertainty between the United States and China since President Trump placed new tariffs on Chinese goods, sparking another round of back-and-forth tension in the ag sector. Now, an agreement reached last week has China pledging to resume purchases...
Lots of yield variability as Iowa harvest wraps up
Harvest in Iowa is very close to wrapping up- in fact, many farmers have put away their combines already. At this point in the season, we have a pretty good idea of how the yields are looking. Northwest Iowa AgriGold Agronomist Jeff Morey said there’s been a lot of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-31-25)
With the recent news of a trade deal framework being reached between the U.S. and China, there wasn’t much focus on export sales estimates this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are still projected to look good for the ag marketplace....
Cattle markets quickly reacting to news headlines
In today’s social media world, all it takes are a handful of posts online and a few days of reactions to flip the cattle market upside down. That is the opinion of Cassie Fish, a cattle market analyst and blogger for “The Beef.” She says it is frustrating to see the...
Mexico: still no date to resume beef exports to the U.S.
Mexico and the U.S. haven’t yet agreed to resume Mexican beef cattle exports into the U.S. amid the outbreak of the New World Screwworm in Mexico. Mexico’s ag minister announced that during a press conference with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Julio Berdegue spoke with...
