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U.S. officials to announce short-term “bridge payment” aid for farmers
USDA plans to roll out a short-term “bridge payment” for farmers next week, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to help growers survive tight margins and trade-related losses. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told White House colleagues a key purpose of the payment is to cushion crop producers after a year of depressed prices and significant drops in U.S. soybean sales to China. While the broader 2025 farm support package has received roughly $40 billion in commitments, the second highest...
Iowa’s young exhibitors show agriculture’s future is strong
Each year at the Iowa State Fair, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show draws crowds eager to see outstanding cattle and the young people who raise them. The event pairs youth exhibitors with celebrities and other Iowa leaders, all in support of the Ronald McDonald House...
August WASDE threw a curveball at the corn markets
With trade uncertainty on the minds of many farmers, the USDA threw the corn market a curveball. The August WASDE report gave farmers and ranchers across the country an interesting look into how production might look this fall. Faith Parum, an economist with the...
449 Century and Heritage Farm families honored at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson honored 449 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same...
Crops are promising, but yields need to be protected
The recent WASDE report from the USDA confirmed that this year’s crops have great potential. Now, it’s important for farmers to keep a close eye on their crops and do whatever they can to realize those potential yields. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service...
Corn yield estimate will affect local basis levels
On Tuesday, USDA published the August WASDE report with a corn yield estimate of 188.8 bu. That number was well above the trade guesses going into the report and signifies the potential for a massive crop. That is Naomi Blohm of Total Farm Marketing who says that the...
Iowa producers urge action on farm bill & trade
In yesterday’s coverage, we noted the wide range of policy issues weighing on Iowa farmers. Today’s focus narrows to two of the most immediate priorities: passing a comprehensive farm bill and addressing ongoing trade challenges. While the Reconciliation Bill approved...
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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...
