Top Stories
Beef exports were strong in July while pork was down
July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the value increase was driven primarily by another outstanding month for Taiwan, as well as strong results in other parts of the globe. Halstrom said that, although restrictions related to a finding of pseudorabies virus (PRV) were removed in mid-to-late July, pork exports –...
Iowa water quality progress requires everyone at the table
Clean water is not solely a rural concern or an urban concern. Water moves across property lines, through communities, into rivers, and eventually downstream. Whatever reaches it moves with it. That makes Iowa’s water quality challenge a shared problem, even though...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour sparks new questions over corn yield
The final Pro Farmer Crop Tour numbers surprised many traders, particularly on the corn side. However, commodity analyst Mike Zuzolo says his own survey of farmers painted a different picture- one that was actually closer to USDA's August estimates. Zuzolo says the...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-23-26)
It’s the dry season in South America, and the forecasts definitely reflect that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this isn’t a huge problem yet, but they are monitoring the weather. McBride said harvest progress is behind in Brazil, but it is approaching...
Senator Grassley responds to beef import plan
Last Friday President Trump announced the administration's plan to allow an additional 300,000 metric tons of tariff-free beef imports over the next 90 days. In a social media post, President Trump said the beef would sell at roughly 25% below market prices to help...
Secretary Naig and INREC expand nitrogen soil sampling project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced the expansion of the Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that delivers free nitrogen soil testing for farmers in counties upstream from the Des Moines and...
Fertilizer concentration concerns Iowa Corn leadership
A concentrated fertilizer industry and stubbornly high prices are drawing increased scrutiny from farmers and federal investigators. The United States Department of Justice is reportedly investigating several leading fertilizer producers to determine whether pricing...
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More Ag News
Muhlbauer talks top ag issues facing Iowa farmers
Global wars, supply chain issues, and volatile market prices have created a difficult ag economy across the board. Farmers and producers are searching for solutions that can help them to not only navigate this economy but improve their financial standing as well. Dave...
Iowa farmers closely watching as corn futures climb above $5
August is often when the picture begins to clear up on yields and the market begins to gain confidence in the numbers. Although there is a wide range of factors that are exerting influence on the corn marketplace right now, traders are betting on smaller yields than...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-27-26)
Old crop sales hit marketing year lows, but old crop sales are not very important at this time of year. Shipments, however, were robust, and they could lead to favorable market conditions for the new crop marketing year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said...
Cattle groups protest as trump signs beef import plan
President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday that aims to lower ground beef prices by boosting imports from other countries, reports Politico. This is despite outrage from the beef industry. Trump’s proclamation will remove tariffs from 300,000 metric...
Growing corn supplies increase need for demand
The food versus fuel debate has followed corn ethanol for decades. Critics argue that using corn for fuel removes it from the food supply. Corn growers counter that ethanol production also creates livestock feed, while increasing yields leave farmers searching for...
