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Investments in rural America
USDA Rural Development investments during the past fiscal year demonstrate the diverse areas of support for rural economic development and quality of life. USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Glen Smith gives the data for the past fiscal year. Smith says that funds attributed to water and wastewater systems in rural America are money well spent. In addition to these projects Smith highlights efforts made towards rural electric systems and telecommunications. That was USDA Under...
Secretary Naig invites community meat lockers to apply for Choose Iowa butchery equipment grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited small-scale meat processors and custom lockers to apply for a Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant. Eligible businesses may receive up to $20,000 of state funding to purchase cold storage, meat...
Global fertilizer disruptions raise concerns for Iowa farmers
As Iowa farmers prepare for fall fertilizer applications, questions about supplies and prices are becoming increasingly important. Continued conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global fertilizer markets, while trade uncertainty between the United States and...
USDA surprises markets yet again in October WASDE
Once again, the USDA went against expectations for the monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. The major surprise in the October WASDE was the increase of the corn yield by 2.7 bushels per acre to 181.2 bpa, which raised production...
Ethanol exports on track to hit another record
Ethanol exports are on track to set another record according to USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg. Lindberg says that new and expanded overseas markets are increasing foreign demand and driving a likely third record year of...
NCBA says MCOOL wouldn’t drive beef demand
The Senate Agriculture Committee's version of the Farm Bill includes mandatory country of origin labeling. This comes after a significant push for consumer transparency. However, National Cattlemen's Beef Association Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan...
USDA announces $1.8 billion in 2026 conservation program payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today it is issuing approximately $1.8 billion in Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) payments to agricultural producers and landowners for their participation in key conservation programs for 2026. These payments...
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More Ag News
Knowing when to keep or replace alfalfa
Dry conditions in some parts of the country during the growing season have taken a toll on alfalfa production, leaving affected farmers wondering whether their stands will survive the winter or if it's time to rotate those fields into another crop. However, reduced...
NFU welcomes federal inquiry into ag equipment market
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is welcoming a new USDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiry into competition concerns in the agricultural equipment market. NFU President Rob Larew said farmers have been raising concerns about consolidation and limited...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-14-26)
As harvest continues in the United States, farmers in Brazil and Argentina are planting for the next crop season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said planting progress in Brazil is...
Soybean checkoff looks ahead after 35 years
With tight margins continuing to squeeze farm budgets, soybean producers are scrutinizing every dollar they spend. That includes their investments in the soybean checkoff, which has spent the past 35 years developing markets and creating additional demand for American...
Harvest pace per USDA Mid-October progress report
Despite the slower than usual pace of harvest for parts of the Midwest and Corn Belt, including Iowa, other regions of the country have made substantial progress. How are major row crops coming along with their harvest progress as October approaches its midway point?...
