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Farm financial concerns temper improving farmer confidence
Farmer confidence improved slightly in October, but concerns about farm finances continue to weigh on producers as they evaluate their financial performance and prepare for another growing season. The latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer shows some improvement in overall sentiment, even as farmers remain cautious about working capital, balance sheets, and major investments. For Iowa producers, those concerns are particularly relevant as lower commodity prices and continued...
As profit margins tighten, debt management is critical
As tighter margins pressure farm finances, lenders are seeing producers rely more heavily on borrowed capital to cover operating expenses. At the same time, higher interest rates are increasing the cost of carrying that debt. Chad Gent, senior vice president of retail...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-3-26)
Even though the South American crop season is still in its early stages, there are already projections that this will be a massive crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the weather has not been an issue for farmers in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said...
Grassley discusses potential compromise for a 2026 farm bill
Regardless of what happens in the midterm elections, there is still a limited amount of time for the current Congress to pass a farm bill before the end of the year. However, as United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) points out there is not a lot of time left in...
Chinese buying of U.S. farm goods remains weak
China's purchases of U.S. agricultural products outside soybeans are on track for their lowest level in seven years, despite a trade agreement calling for billions of dollars in annual imports. A Reuters analysis of Chinese customs data shows Beijing purchased just...
Iowa grain producers navigate challenging market conditions
Iowa farmers continue to face challenging grain market conditions as harvest supplies, disappointing soybean demand figures, and uncertainty surrounding international trade weigh on commodity prices. While soybean demand has strengthened in recent years, the latest...
Potential strike at Southern California ports could majorly impact U.S. red meat exports
Security workers at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are threatening to go on strike if a contract agreement is not reached this week. While the union represents only a small portion of the overall port workforce, other unionized employees such as longshoremen...
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There’s still a chance for an updated farm bill
Both the Senate and Congress now have Democrat majorities, which changes what we might see in the next farm bill, assuming we get one soon. Duane Simpson, president of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, said he believes some work will get done to finish the...
Strong soybean yields meet steep quality discounts
Soybean producers across the country, including here in Iowa, are dealing with quality discounts that are cutting into the value of their crops despite strong yields in many areas. While discolored soybeans have received much of the attention, concerns over test...
As profit margins tighten, debt management is critical
As tighter margins pressure farm finances, lenders are seeing producers rely more heavily on borrowed capital to cover operating expenses. At the same time, higher interest rates are increasing the cost of carrying that debt. Chad Gent, senior vice president of retail...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-3-26)
Even though the South American crop season is still in its early stages, there are already projections that this will be a massive crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the weather has not been an issue for farmers in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said...
Grassley discusses potential compromise for a 2026 farm bill
Regardless of what happens in the midterm elections, there is still a limited amount of time for the current Congress to pass a farm bill before the end of the year. However, as United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) points out there is not a lot of time left in...
