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U.S. Export Sales Report (8-6-26)
This week’s export sales were decent once again and provided some baseline support for the grain markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest corn numbers from the USDA. While the soybean sales weren’t bad, McBride said they were slightly disappointing. McBride said China has still been buying soybeans from the U.S., but this week was lower than the past few. The team at Allendale can be reached by calling 800-262-7538, or you can visit...
Multiple diseases threaten Iowa corn crop
Southern rust has now been confirmed in several Iowa counties, but crop experts say this year's situation looks much different than the widespread outbreak growers experienced in 2025. Even so, they caution that producers should continue scouting fields, as southern...
Consolidation trends in the U.S. nitrogen fertilizer industry
While geopolitical conflicts often take the balme for volatile nitrogen fertilizer prices, decades of deep industry consolidation- driven by natural gas costs- may be the true underlying factor. Henrique Monaco, a Ph.D. candidate in agricultural economics at the...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-24-26)
This week saw another mostly uneventful export sales report, but that is typical for this time of year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn markets are mostly done looking at the old crop sales and have instead shifted their focus to the shipment...
The new Agronomy Zone will be unveiled at 2026 Farm Progress Show
The Farm Progress Show is one of the best environments in agriculture to learn about the newest equipment, technology, and innovative management practices. Each year the show rotates between host sites in Boone Iowa and Decatur Illinois and this year the show returns...
USB budget to sharpen focus, maximize returns
The United Soybean Board has approved a $122.5 million budget for fiscal year 2027, investing soybean checkoff dollars to expand markets and strengthen demand for U.S. soy. The farmer-led board says funding will support research, promotion, and education across food,...
R-CALF says imports hinder herd growth
The U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in decades, leaving beef supplies historically tight and raising questions about when producers will begin expanding their herds. While economists often point to cattle prices, forage conditions, and producer...
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U.S. pork exports to Japan show strong rebound
Exports of U.S. pork to Japan have shown an impressive rebound in 2026. The market has faced challenges such as high energy costs and a weak yen against the U.S. dollar, but some value sectors have increasingly relied on U.S. pork loin and pork butt. USMEF President...
Grassley says farm bill markup possible next week even without McConnell
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the Senate Ag Committee could still mark up a farm bill next week before the August recess without sidelined Mitch McConnell and a GOP majority. Senator Grassley says Ag Chair John Boozman still hopes to take up...
Markets react to July USDA cattle reports
The USDA released two important reports last week that each had a direct impact on the U.S. cattle industry: the July Cattle Inventory and July Cattle on Feed Reports. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the two reports offer a...
ICA lead on CRP reform at NCBA summer business meeting
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) continues to deliver results for Iowa cattle producers, both in Iowa and across the nation. At the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Summer Business Meeting held in Denver, Colorado, earlier this month, ICA led...
Naig: Heat, timely rain shaping Iowa crops
Iowa farmers have faced a little bit of everything this summer. Extended stretches of heat have increased stress on crops and livestock, while scattered thunderstorms have brought much-needed rainfall to some areas and flooding, hail, and damaging winds to others....
