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China’s deadline moved to February
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extended an earlier deadline for Beijing’s purchases of American soybeans from December to February. Bessent said China is on pace to meet its pledge to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of February. Bloomberg said Bessent was asked about soybean purchases and the time left before the end of the year, to which the Secretary clarified that the target was the “end of the season,” which would be February 28. Reuters said the USDA confirmed...
Wider tassel wrap issues put focus on genetics
Many Midwest farmers are finding more tassel wrap in their fields this season than in years past. The condition occurs when tassels remain trapped within the plant’s upper leaves, limiting pollen shed and interfering with pollination. That lack of pollination can lead...
Some Iowa farmers are starting harvest already
Believe it or not, there are some combines running in the fields in Iowa already. With the heavy moisture we saw at the beginning of planting season, there’s going to be a lot of variance in harvest dates across the state. Jamie Horton, DEKALB/Asgrow technical...
Secretary Naig announces $200,000 investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $200,000 for the second full year of the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Under the Department's Choose Iowa...
Farm income forecast is a tale of two farm economies
New data from the Department of Agriculture predicts farm income to increase in 2025. The latest Net Farm Income Forecast from USDA’s Economic Research Service predicts farm income to increase in 2025. However, Bernt Nelson, an economist for the American Farm Bureau...
California E15 approval estimated to absorb 200 million bushels of corn
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales last week is expected to boost corn demand at a time growers are preparing to harvest a record crop. The law is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and will be a big breakthrough for the ethanol...
Soybean producers face uncertainty in ongoing trade fight
U.S. soybean producers are once again caught in the middle of a trade war. China has been slow to make purchases, leaving farmers worried about where demand will come from. This marks the second Trump administration and the second time American agriculture has been...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-25-25)
This week’s export sales are continuing the usual trends. Corn sales are doing very well, while soybeans continue to struggle. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest corn numbers. While this week’s soybean sales weren’t terrible on their...
Naig sees big potential in Iowa–Maharashtra partnership
Iowa’s trade mission to India is paying early dividends, as the state continues to build on connections forged during Governor Kim Reynolds’ recent visit. Last week, we looked at the broad opportunities between the U.S. and India. Today, we turn to the state-to-state...
USDA cancels Household Food Security Report as food insecurity increases
Even as food insecurity continues to rise, the USDA has moved to terminate all future Household Food Security Reports. The announcement, which was ironically made during Hunger Action Month, is another blow to the food banks and pantries across the country that are...
Northwest Iowa crops nearing the finish line and the start of harvest
Harvest for corn and soybeans is not in full swing yet in northwest Iowa but combines will be out in force very soon. Northwest Iowa Beck’s Hybrids agronomist Eric Bartels says that harvest for silage corn is underway. Bartels mentions the target moisture level for...
Updated FMMOs show significant farmer losses in first few months
The years-long process of updating Federal Milk Marketing Orders finally concluded earlier this year, when final changes went into effect. The Federal Milk Marketing Orders govern how processors purchase milk from dairy farmers in defined marketing areas across the...
