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September WASDE leaves analysts scratching their heads
This month’s WASDE report was not as friendly as projected, but the markets still moved higher to end the week. A few factors, including the recent end of the old crop marketing year, may be influencing the markets in confusing directions. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said a deep dive into the report shows why the markets may have moved the way they did. McBride said the USDA is likely factoring in the China trade situation for the soybean adjustments. McBride also noted that the...
Secretary Naig announces $200,000 investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $200,000 for the second full year of the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Under the Department's Choose Iowa...
Farm income forecast is a tale of two farm economies
New data from the Department of Agriculture predicts farm income to increase in 2025. The latest Net Farm Income Forecast from USDA’s Economic Research Service predicts farm income to increase in 2025. However, Bernt Nelson, an economist for the American Farm Bureau...
California E15 approval estimated to absorb 200 million bushels of corn
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales last week is expected to boost corn demand at a time growers are preparing to harvest a record crop. The law is expected to be signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and will be a big breakthrough for the ethanol...
Soybean producers face uncertainty in ongoing trade fight
U.S. soybean producers are once again caught in the middle of a trade war. China has been slow to make purchases, leaving farmers worried about where demand will come from. This marks the second Trump administration and the second time American agriculture has been...
Iowa soybean fields need to end the year strong
It may feel like there isn’t much of a choice for seed genetics anymore, but companies like BASF are making an effort to provide new genetics that stand out from the competition and give farmers some unique choices. Colin Rogers, BASF seed agronomist, said Xitavo...
Yield results from Allendale survey lower than USDA estimates
The Allendale brokerage firm has released yield results collected from a recent survey of farmers. The numbers are not particularly far off from the USDA August Crop Production estimates. Rich Nelson of Allendale said they’ve done this survey for a long time. Nelson...
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Secretary Naig extends sign-up for cover crop cost-share through September 18
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that, due to record demand, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is extending the deadline for farmers to sign-up for cover crop cost-share through Sept. 18 and is allocating additional funding...
Getting a comprehensive look at soil nutrients with tissue and soil tests
Harvest is approaching fast- in fact, some parts of the state have rolled out combines already. Once this year’s crop is out of the field, it’ll be an ideal time to do some soil testing. Eileen Bernard, director of farm and retail growth at Farmers Edge, said farmers...
July was strong for pork exports, weak for beef
July exports of U.S. pork were slightly below last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on exports of U.S....
Ethanol industry looks to ramp up push for year-round E15
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales in the state has given the ethanol industry the latest opportunity to seek new avenues for Congress to legislate year-round E15 sales nationally. Governor Gavin Newsom still needs to sign off on the state’s bill,...
Wider tassel wrap issues put focus on genetics
Many Midwest farmers are finding more tassel wrap in their fields this season than in years past. The condition occurs when tassels remain trapped within the plant’s upper leaves, limiting pollen shed and interfering with pollination. That lack of pollination can lead...
