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Fertilizer decisions for 2026 crop will be a balancing act
Fertilizer prices aren’t at historic highs, but relative to last year’s prices and the current prices for crop commodities, they are elevated. According to data from USDA and analysis by University of Illinois Farmdoc, fertilizer prices in the state are 6% to 20% higher than early fall 2024. High yields lead to high nutrient removal rates, but next year, nutrient replacement and feeding a new crop will come at a higher cost. Pro Farmer reports the price trends weigh heavier on farmers who are...
60 Choose Iowa members to welcome guests for the Choose Iowa farm open house
Sixty Choose Iowa members from across Iowa will welcome guests on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, for the first ever Choose Iowa Farm Open House. Interactive Map: All Statewide Stops Iowans and tourists visiting our state are invited to discover the state’s rich...
Nitrogen response clear, profitability still the question
Few inputs carry more weight in corn production than nitrogen. It fuels yield potential, but it also drains farm budgets at a time when fertilizer prices remain elevated. Ongoing research is helping to refine our understanding, confirming long-held practices while...
Food Bank of Iowa receives bee-utiful donation of honey
Today, the Sioux Honey Cooperative and Fareway Stores partnered up to donate 6,480 bottles of honey to the Food Bank of Iowa. A natural source of antioxidants and energy, honey is a healthy and easy-to-use addition to the meals that are provided for food-insecure...
Central Iowa farm demonstrates potential of water conservation practices
Earlier this week, the Central Iowa Clean Water Partnership hosted a field day to celebrate a new on-farm wetland at the Helland Family Farm near Madrid, Iowa. This wetland is particularly notable due to its proximity to the Des Moines metro and its ability to serve...
A return to above normal temperatures in mid-September
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says near to above normal temperatures and precipitation are expected for most of the nation for the week of September 16th-22nd. Rippey says the National Weather Service’s 8-14 day outlook calls for a return of warmer temperatures in...
Ag trade deficit hit another record high in July
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit widened further in July, highlighting the challenge facing President Donald Trump as he vows to reverse the trend. Agricultural exports lagged imports by $4.97 billion in July, a gap 9% wider than a year earlier and the largest on...
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More Ag News
Proper hybrid selection is vital to a successful crop year
When it comes to mitigating risk for a given crop season, proper hybrid selection is key. AgriGold Agronomist Steve Schany said they have a highly diverse seed portfolio, so producers can more easily pick a specific hybrid that works for their farm. Schany said there...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-11-25)
With the end of the old crop marketing year, this week’s export sales were a little deceiving at first glance. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said corn sales were good this week, but they were slightly inflated by old crop carryover. It was a similar story...
Grassley says he will push for year-round E15 in defense bill
The ethanol industry says that year-round E15 is a national security issue and belongs in the annual defense bill which is now before Congress. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that he supports year-round E15 as part of the bill and he has others in...
60 Choose Iowa members to welcome guests for the Choose Iowa farm open house
Sixty Choose Iowa members from across Iowa will welcome guests on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, for the first ever Choose Iowa Farm Open House. Interactive Map: All Statewide Stops Iowans and tourists visiting our state are invited to discover the state’s rich...
Nitrogen response clear, profitability still the question
Few inputs carry more weight in corn production than nitrogen. It fuels yield potential, but it also drains farm budgets at a time when fertilizer prices remain elevated. Ongoing research is helping to refine our understanding, confirming long-held practices while...
