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Credit trends can say a lot about the farm economy
USDA estimates that farmers will spend more money on interest payments in 2026, after adjusting for inflation, than at any other time on record. Credit is an essential part of agriculture, helping farmers manage costs and invest in their operations. As borrowing costs rise, American Farm Bureau Economist Faith Parum said increased reliance on credit says a lot about the overall health of the farm economy. Parum said credit can also offer clues about broader economic conditions in agriculture....
Strong potential for U.S. beef and pork in UK
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair-Elect Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Boise-based Agri Beef Co., recently traveled to the United Kingdom on a trade mission with Idaho Governor Brad Little. Theiler said the group met with...
From Ames to Iowa City, everyone cheers for Iowa dairy
Fall is well known for its tailgating fun at sporting events across the country, and nowhere is that tradition stronger than right here in Iowa. Whether you are grilling up cheeseburgers outside Jack Trice Stadium or reaching for the ranch and blue cheese to go with...
Markets are looking for news as government shutdown persists
There’s no clear end in sight yet for this government shutdown, and the markets are desperately looking for news headlines to trade. While there are a few things worth looking at, there’s not much solid news to trade on even outside of government reports. Allendale...
AFBF asks Congress and White House for farm aid
Farmers and ranchers are facing extreme economic pressures. The overall U.S. farm economy is in very bad shape, and the long-term viability of the sector is in danger. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said costs have...
AI in agriculture is here and assisting farmers each day
AI, or artificial intelligence, is beginning to be applied to agriculture in tangible ways that can assist farmers with day-to-day tasks. Heather Hampton Knodle, president of Knodle Farms in Illinois, recently spoke about AI at the Rural Economic Outlook Conference at...
Bayer partners with Cornfed Farms to create first ForwardFarm in Midwest
Bayer is proud to announce that Cornfed Farms, a fourth-generation farm operated by the Mohr family, has been designated as the first Bayer ForwardFarm site in the Midwest and the only ForwardFarm in the United States. This recognition places Cornfed Farms as one of...
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More Ag News
Specialty crop growers feeling left out
In a time of financial stress for many farmers across the country, the $12 billion bridge assistance payments that were recently announced are welcome relief for many. However, $11 billion dollars of the relief payments are being distributed to row crop farmers,...
USDA launches final phase of 2025 ag resource management study
Beginning later this month, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will spend several months gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. The agency will be conducting its third and final phase of the 2025...
Impacts of Argentina’s export tax cut
It was recently announced that Argentina cut its export tax by 2%, which creates even more of a price gap with U.S. soybean prices. However, the global demand situation is too complex to trade just on prices alone. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the...
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act nearing finish line
A key piece of legislation aimed at growing healthier kids in American classrooms took a big step toward becoming law. Both legislative chambers have now passed the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, meaning the bill is nearly across the finish line. Danny Munch, an...
Fertility management takes priority as margins tighten
Farmers heading into the next growing season are facing a familiar challenge. Input costs remain elevated, margins are tight, and uncertainty in the broader economy continues to weigh on nearly every decision made on the farm. In an environment like this, agronomists...
