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Beef supporters turned crisis into lasting impact
What started as an effort to recognize young livestock exhibitors during a canceled Iowa State Fair has grown into an organization that has raised $1.3 million in just a few years. The Iowa State Fair Beef Champions Supporters formed in 2020 after the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation of the Iowa State Fair. An alternative event was held for exhibitors, but Kevin Brooks with the organization says a group of supporters wanted to make sure young people who had already invested months of...
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...
House approves additional farm aid
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $12 billion in additional farm aid as part of its budget reconciliation package. John Newton, vice president of public policy with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the struggles of the farm economy have made...
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Lower disease pressure in Iowa this year
At this point of the growing season the picture starts to become clearer about what farmers are dealing with in their fields this year. Grant Harms is a technical field agronomist with Corteva Agriscience and he says that southern rust is not as widespread in Iowa...
Farmers spent $1.4B more on diesel during planting season
A new study by Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that farmers of key crops in the U.S. spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel during the 2025–2026 planting season than they did last season, reports Successful Farming. The increase in diesel spending to plant...
USDA faces borrowing caps for farm programs
The Commodity Credit Corporation may soon fall short of funds, hindering farm safety net programs. While increases in the farm safety net through the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act were welcome, there are concerns that USDA will receive enough funding for the safety net...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-30-26)
Both corn and soybean sales were strong this week, but those strong export sales were overshadowed by market pressure from the wars overseas as well as the weather here in the U.S. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown of the corn export data....
Iowa State Fair just two weeks away
With just two weeks until the Iowa State Fair opens, excitement is building for one of Iowa's signature summer traditions. As county fair season begins to wind down, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says those local fairs continue to connect Iowans with...
