Top Stories
Trends in cover crop use and production
An annual survey provides the latest trends regarding cover crop use and production in agriculture. The producer-based cover crop survey is conducted in part by USDA’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program. Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce says that cover crops are becoming a bigger part of agriculture in the country. According to the survey, 68% of producers surveyed planted cover crops last year. An additional 16% of producers say...
Farmers and ranchers are facing a growing pile of issues
While there is a rebound in ag exports for 2025 and 2026, growth remains below desired levels. New policy measures out of Washington, such as President Trump’s decision to allow tariff-free beef imports, are creating even higher levels of uncertainty for farmers and...
Small refinery exemptions raise big questions
EPA’s latest round of small refinery exemptions is raising concerns within the ethanol industry, after the agency granted exemptions to 29 refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The exemptions allow qualifying refineries to avoid some of their renewable fuel...
Naig recognizes success of cover crop cost-share program
Farmers in the Greater Des Moines Watershed nearly tripled the number of cover crop acres in state-cost share programs this fall. During a press conference at this year’s Farm Progress Show, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced the initial results of the Greater Des...
USDA raises U.S. agricultural export forecast
U.S. agricultural exports are expected to strengthen as USDA raised its trade forecast and projected a smaller agricultural trade deficit for fiscal 2026. USDA's Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service forecast agricultural exports at $179.5...
New soybean platform aims to strengthen weed management programs
Enlist E3® soybeans with Expance™ trait technology combine the herbicide tolerance of Enlist E3 soybeans with preemergence HPPD inhibitor tolerance from Expance technology. Jared Benson of Syngenta tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network at the Farm Progress Show...
Making sure the entire renewable fuels industry is represented
The Environmental Protection Agency has granted a new round of Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard, exempting refiners from some renewable fuel blending obligations for 2025. While the action removes nearly 1.8 billion renewable fuel credits...
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More Ag News
Another trade dispute leaves farmers facing the fallout
Trade tensions between the United States and Canada are creating another potential problem for American agriculture, this time for the dairy industry. Trade negotiations between the two countries broke down in August, followed by new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods....
Lending a trusted ear to farmer mental health struggles
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and that’s especially important in rural areas, where suicide rates are roughly 1.5 times higher than urban areas. A lack of rural mental health care options and a negative stigma against discussing mental health have...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-4-26)
Old crop grain sales are wrapping up as we prepare to enter into the new crop year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the old crop corn sales were strong in the latest export sales report, and that will likely be reflected in next week’s WASDE report....
Preparing for farm safety during harvest
Safety is always a primary concern for farmers during harvest season and making sure that you have the proper safety tools and procedures in place should always be top of mind. After a dry August and hot and dry start to September Dan Neenan of the National Education...
Iowa CSP, EQIP application deadline set for Sept. 25
Iowa farmers interested in signing up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) have until Sept. 25 to apply to be considered for 2027 funding. Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural...
