Top Stories
Pork prices holding above the cost of production
Pork supplies are similar to a year ago, even with hogs being fed to heavier weights before being sent to market. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says demand has been steady for several quarters, and prices continue to remain above the cost of production. Schulz breaks down the economics of pork operations by size. The data comes from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Schulz says that global demand for U.S. pork has softened slightly. However, he also points out that...
Year-round E15 would be beneficial for everyone
Congress has an opportunity to help farmers and bring down the cost of gas. In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said year-round E15 sales would fuel the economy. Duvall said biofuels are also great for the atmosphere....
2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year has roots in agriculture
One of Iowa’s top leaders in ag education was recognized as the 2025 Iowa Teacher of the Year. Melanie Bloom, who has been teaching agriculture at Sioux Central Community School District in Sioux Rapids for 16 years, was announced as the recipient of the award last...
NPB strengthening connection between consumers and pork
The National Pork Board’s strategic brand campaign is all about taste and flavor. Patrick Fleming, vice president of demand development, says the new tagline, “Taste What Pork Can Do™,” aims to strengthen consumers' connection with pork by highlighting its flavor and...
Thune pushes Farm Bill, farmers push harder
Farmers are running out of patience as depressed commodity prices and razor-thin profit margins continue to squeeze their operations. The much-celebrated “Big Beautiful Bill” passed earlier this summer, offering some relief, but it did little to calm the frustration...
Crop insurance enhancements and improvements announced
A big piece of the farm safety net, crop insurance, is getting an overhaul courtesy of the Big Beautiful Bill. Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson explains the adjustments to enterprise and whole farm units. Swanson says there are also recently enacted...
Farmers feeling the fertilizer price squeeze
Farm groups are warning the White House that the tariff war is making already high fertilizer prices worse. That’s making it harder for farmers to afford to plant their typical amounts of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Politico said ag industry representatives have...
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More Ag News
Warm temperatures will bring harvest here before we know it
The end of this crop year has been defined by disease pressure, specifically from diseases like Southern Rust and Sudden Death Syndrome. Unfortunately, farmers who did not prepare with fungicides are already seeing significant yield losses. Southwest Iowa Beck’s...
Iowa rural roadway safety considerations during harvest season
Rural roadway safety is one of the biggest safety challenges during harvest season. Dan Neenan of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety says that rural drivers need to demonstrate patience as farmers share the roadways. Neenan says that motorists and...
Fertilizer decisions for 2026 crop will be a balancing act
Fertilizer prices aren’t at historic highs, but relative to last year’s prices and the current prices for crop commodities, they are elevated. According to data from USDA and analysis by University of Illinois Farmdoc, fertilizer prices in the state are 6% to 20%...
USMEF Heartland team reviews market investments in Korea
A team of producers representing the pork, beef, corn and soybean industries visited Korea last week to see first-hand the investments the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is making in the market. Korea is the leading export market for U.S. beef, with purchases...
Rollins: Mexico cooperation key to screwworm defense
The New World screwworm has not entered U.S. herds, but the threat has officials on guard. The parasite can devastate livestock, particularly cattle, and poses risks to any mammal. A recent case in a U.S. traveler returning from El Salvador underscored that danger....
