Top Stories
Pork industry balances profit and patience
The latest USDA data is giving pork producers plenty to think about as they look toward 2026. After a year of steady profitability, markets are showing a softer tone heading into fall, but the fundamentals remain solid. The most recent Hogs and Pigs Report provided a fresh look at inventories and production trends, suggesting a slightly tighter supply picture than analysts had anticipated. Lee Schulz, chief economist at Ever.Ag, says those government reports are an important place to start...
Government shutdown adding more uncertainty to the ag markets
The agriculture industry and ag markets have been dealt a lot of uncertainty in 2025. From the tariffs of the trade war to the new world screwworm shutdown of the border between Mexico and the United States, the markets have dealt with many unknowns. Now amid the...
Low Mississippi River levels again set to disrupt harvest shipping
For the fourth straight year, water levels in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers will soon be critically low, forcing shippers to light-load grain barges during harvest season. As barge rates get higher, those higher costs are making their way down to the farm level....
Applications are open for 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is encouraging college students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry to apply for the 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten students will be selected to receive scholarships worth $1,500 each. NCBA Senior Vice...
Korean pizza chain adding U.S. pork sausage to menu
In South Korea, pizza chain Pizza Alvolo was looking to add something new to its menu. When it turned to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) for assistance, USMEF Senior Marketing Manager for Foodservice in Korea Elly Sung suggested U.S. pork sausage. After...
Strong yields & weak margins: Financial pressures mount on farmers
The 2025 season has been defined by both resilience and strain in the farm economy. Strong yields in many regions helped keep optimism alive, but they were tempered by financial pressures that have made every decision more critical. Interest rates remain historically...
Dry Iowa weather can make harvest more complicated
Combines are rolling across much of the state, and the dry weather has allowed harvest to continue mostly uninterrupted. However, that dryness can bring with it a whole different slate of issues. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said corn yields might seem...
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More Ag News
Corn farmers are seeing the effects of Southern Rust as they harvest
Harvest is continuing to roll along across the state, and while corn yields may initially appear disappointing, the numbers that are coming in are still good. This is made especially true when you consider the presence of diseases this year as well. Southern Iowa LG...
Farm aid package details scarce as the shutdown delays action
The details of the farm aid package for farmers are scarce as the government shutdown has delayed the announcement of aid to farmers and how the payments will be funded. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the trade aid package on Wednesday....
Iowa Beef grant brings real-world nutrition to the classroom
The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) Beef Grant Program is fueling the next generation with knowledge and beef! Over 85 schools participated this past year, reaching 13,000 students through hands-on cooking labs and nutrition education. The program provides up to...
98th National FFA Convention heading to Indianapolis this month
One of agriculture’s biggest annual events gets underway at the end of the month in Indianapolis. The 98th FFA National Convention and Expo will take place Oct. 29 through Nov. 1, bringing more than 70,000 ag students in blue corduroy jackets to the Hoosier State....
Financial stress, flexible solutions: Nutrien helps farmers adapt
On Monday, we looked at the pressures weighing on farmers as high interest rates, shifting lending practices, and tighter margins challenged the financial side of agriculture. Those concerns left one clear takeaway: producers will need reliable tools to navigate an...
