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Foreign-owned farmland acres increasing
In 2024, foreign entities controlled an increasing number of agricultural acres, and that share continues to increase. But despite those growing numbers, overall foreign-owned farmland remains a small percentage of total acreage. Faith Parum, deputy chief economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked through the numbers. China has been scrutinized recently for controlling agriculture land in the U.S., but Parum said China represents less than 1-percent of foreign-owned farmland....
Russia-Ukraine war pushing oil prices higher again
Oil prices moved higher at the start of the week, driven primarily by ongoing attacks between Russia and Ukraine. While oil prices inched higher, Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com noted that fuel prices were more mixed. California currently has the highest national...
Wasted Grain named Iowa’s best breaded pork tenderloin
Wasted Grain in Carroll serves Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin this year, according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). The restaurant rose to the top of 464 restaurants nominated by Iowans this spring, then beat four other finalists to win IPPA’s 2026...
Record U.S. soybean production means more exports
USDA’s recent record soybean forecast will lead to more soybean exports, according to World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. Increased soybean exports from the United States will help to fill the gap globally for declines in production elsewhere says...
Knowing when to keep or replace alfalfa
Dry conditions in some parts of the country during the growing season have taken a toll on alfalfa production, leaving affected farmers wondering whether their stands will survive the winter or if it's time to rotate those fields into another crop. However, reduced...
NFU welcomes federal inquiry into ag equipment market
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is welcoming a new USDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiry into competition concerns in the agricultural equipment market. NFU President Rob Larew said farmers have been raising concerns about consolidation and limited...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-14-26)
As harvest continues in the United States, farmers in Brazil and Argentina are planting for the next crop season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said planting progress in Brazil is...
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September rains may have damaged soybean crop
Parts of Iowa and other midwestern states were impacted by heavy rainfall in the month of September and the heavy moisture has discolored some of the soybean crop. Those beans discolored by fungus are designated as Soybeans of Other Color, or SBOC, and can have a big...
Demand for U.S. pork climbing higher in Central America
Demand for U.S. pork is reaching new heights in Central America, which has been one of the fasting growing regions in recent years. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Regional Representative Lucia Ruano said expanding the use of pork beyond just raw material for...
Farmers encouraged to review grain systems after harvest
Harvest is one of the busiest times of the year for Iowa farmers, and keeping combines moving is only part of the equation. Getting grain from the field into storage efficiently can make a major difference in how smoothly the season progresses. Even with careful...
Harvest is a good time to think about changes for next year
Plenty of rain has caused harvest delays and yield losses in fields across the state. While nothing can be changed about that at this point in the crop year, now is still a good time to make observations of what things can be improved for next year. Landus Cooperative...
August beef exports above last year while pork trended lower
Fueled by a near-record performance in Taiwan and a rebound in South Korea, August exports of U.S. beef increased year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports reached 86,362 metric tons (mt)...
