Top Stories
NASDA prioritizes animal disease preparedness
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with RJ Kearney of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture about the issues state agriculture leaders are watching most closely. While topics like trade and the Farm Bill continue to dominate many conversations in agriculture, Kearney said animal health remains one of the top concerns for state departments of agriculture across the country. Kearney said NASDA recently surveyed its members to identify...
Pushing innovation in agricultural education
Farmers face new issues every year, so the ag industry has to be able to keep improving to keep up with changing demands. On top of that, we need to make sure the next generation of agriculturists is ready to tackle these problems. Brad Hammes, product specialist at...
Detailing recent improvements to the farm safety net
The long wait continues for an updated and modernized farm bill, but the farm safety net has seen recent improvements via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act says a senior USDA official. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says that the...
Secretary Naig announces 33 renewable fuels infrastructure grants to expand E15 access across Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board approved 33 ethanol infrastructure grants during its quarterly meeting on March 11, supporting new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects at...
Federal Reserve is concerned about the Iran war’s impact on commodity markets
The war with Iran is causing upheaval in the commodity markets. The early volatility has seen an increase in the price of corn and soybeans, but it has also included sharp setbacks. Even more concerning is the risk presented to U.S. farmers and consumers as the...
Ernst helps lead recognition of women across agriculture
As National Ag Week continues and we look ahead to National Ag Day, there is a growing effort to recognize a group that has always been central to agriculture’s success, even if they have not always been front and center. Women in agriculture. A bipartisan resolution...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-19-26)
This week’s export sales were disappointing all around, but there has been so much major news recently that this is not weighing heavily on the markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales broke their trend of performing above average. On the...
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New ARC/PLC acres will be specifically distributed
Thirty million new base acres in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill won’t be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the USDA is electing to distribute those acres in a more organized way. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation...
Helping Iowa’s farmers reduce stress during the busy planting season
Planting season is very similar to harvest in that it is one of the busiest and potentially most stressful times of year for growers. Long days and a lack of sleep can make things difficult for farmers. Add in the uncertain weather and equipment breakdowns and stress...
U.S. beef gains expanded access to Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority recently announced that participation in the Export Verification (EV) Program will no longer be required for U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said this change, now...
Egg prices ease as poultry producers prepare for spring wildfowl migration
A report from the American Farm Bureau has good news for egg buyers. Egg prices have dropped sharply as production recovers from volatility caused by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza infections. While detections in January and February rose sharply, with over 15...
Mosaic spotlights residue breakdown ahead of planting
As growers prepare for the 2026 crop season, residue management remains one of the biggest practical challenges in the field. Whether it is corn stalks, wheat straw, canola residue, or terminated cover crops, the balance between preserving soil protection and...
