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Financial pressure persists for corn and soybean farmers
A new survey of corn and soybean farmers finds financial pressure remains high despite recent improvements in commodity prices. The National Corn Growers Association and American Soybean Association report nearly two-thirds of growers are moderately or very concerned about the farm economy. Forty-six percent say they are more concerned about their farm financial situation than they were a year ago. The survey of 1,200 farmers, conducted by Farm Journal, found that recent grain price...
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...
California breakthrough could boost Iowa ethanol demand
California is moving closer to allowing year-round E15 sales, potentially opening one of the nation’s largest gasoline markets to increased ethanol use. The California legislature approved a bill during the final day of its legislative session that removes the...
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More Ag News
September USDA crop reports build upon August
The September WASDE and Crop Reports from USDA will be published on Friday September 11th. The September reports build upon initial field survey numbers from August. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains how the hard data is gathered by...
Midwest heat raises late-season corn and soybean concerns
Extreme heat remains a major agricultural issue across a large portion of the Corn Belt. Heat warnings stretch from Iowa and Kansas through Illinois and toward Ohio, with heat indexes expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees in some areas. The timing matters. USDA...
Beef markets may not need government intervention
The cattle industry continues to sort through questions surrounding the Trump administration's proposal to temporarily allow an additional 300,000 metric tons of imported beef into the U.S. market. At the same time, producers are dealing with the smallest U.S. cow...
Beef exports were strong in July while pork was down
July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the value increase was driven primarily by...
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....
