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U.S. farm numbers decline for second straight year, USDA says
The number of farms in the United States fell by 15,000 in 2025, continuing a long-term decline in the nation’s agricultural landscape, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported. According to USDA’s annual Land in Farms report, the total number of farms dropped to about 1.865 million last year, down from roughly 1.88 million in 2024. The decline spanned nearly all size and sales categories, with smaller operations — particularly those reporting $1,000 to $9,999 in annual sales — posting the...
Cash flow pressures reshape equipment decisions on Iowa farms
Tight margins continue to shape decision-making on farms across Iowa. While disease pressure still plays a role, commodity prices and cash flow have become the dominant concerns for many producers, especially when it comes to equipment purchases. Those pressures are...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-29-26)
This week’s export sales report brings us to an interesting situation- now that the numbers are aligned with the USDA’s export goals, there isn’t much news to react to. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this was another great week for corn sales. McBride...
Young farmers and ranchers have a unique leadership opportunity
Young farmers and ranchers should mark their calendars for March 13–16 for the upcoming Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference. Bev Flatt, a Tennessee farmer and member of the American Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee, said attendees will have a lot to look...
Trump defends tariffs in Iowa speech
President Trump was in Iowa on Tuesday to deliver a speech, campaigning to hold onto the House and Senate in the midterm elections. President Trump pushed back against critics of his tariff policies in front of an Iowa audience including many farmers. Trump says his...
Groups applaud president’s call for year-round E15
The Renewable Fuels Association applauded President Trump for strongly reaffirming his support for America’s ethanol industry. During a stop in Des Moines, Iowa, he called on Congress to send a bill approving year-round E15 to his desk “very quickly.” Trump said he...
Winter no longer a break as HPAI resurfaces in Iowa
Winter weather typically gives Iowa poultry producers some relief from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, but this season continues to challenge that expectation. Iowa has confirmed a new HPAI detection in Kossuth County involving pheasant production, a reminder that...
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More Ag News
Stine Seed’s Yield Maximizer Program provides industry-leading agronomic data
No two farms are the same, so there’s no agronomic solution that will magically apply to every farm. In fact, each field on a given farm is different enough to the point where farmers can’t uniformly apply every solution. Stine Seed President Myron Stine said their...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-3-26)
The South American weather forecast has flipped from its usual pattern. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the nearby forecast is now lacking rain. McBride said the longer-term forecast has the rains they are looking for. McBride added that harvest progress...
Iowa producer engagement pays dividends
Producer voices are important and they can yield results. Ethan Lane, the senior vice president of government affairs with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network at NCBA’s CattleCon in Nashville that Iowa producers are...
Treasury, IRS issue proposed regulations on the clean fuel production credit
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations for domestic producers of clean transportation fuel to determine their eligibility for and calculate the clean fuel production credit under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill....
EPA issues Right to Repair guidance for farm equipment repairs
The EPA is weighing in on a debate farmers and independent repair shops have been having for years, issuing new Right to Repair guidance focused on non-road diesel equipment. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says the move is intended to clear up long-standing confusion...
