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Secretary Naig extends sign-up for cover crop cost-share through September 18
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that, due to record demand, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is extending the deadline for farmers to sign-up for cover crop cost-share through Sept. 18 and is allocating additional funding so that even more farmers can participate. “Cover crops are one of the most effective practices in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy that farmers and landowners can use to improve water quality and enhance soil health. We’ve...
Great weather for pollination in Southwest Iowa
If you look at the nearest corn field, you might see tassels at the tops of each of the stalks of corn. That means pollination is in full swing, and farmers are praying for the stars to align and allow their crops to reach their full potential yields. Southwest Iowa...
USMEF talks global beef demand and more at Cattle Industry Summer Meeting
Tariffs and other trade issues were top of mind for cattle producers and other beef industry leaders attending the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that, despite tariffs...
Shrinking labor force poised to threaten U.S. economic growth
Declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply. The looming labor shortage could begin to weigh on businesses and strain economic growth as soon as later this year, according to a...
Iowa Eyes Below-Average Missouri River Runoff
Despite a wetter year in parts of the region, the runoff in the Missouri River Basin remains below average. Years of drought have left a lasting impact, and the system has yet to recover fully. Iowa depends on the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River...
Markets decided to sell off in reaction to July WASDE
There were slight expectations that the USDA would adjust corn yields in this month’s WASDE report, but that did not end up happening. And while the report as a whole was still fundamentally friendly to the marketplace, the commodity prices did not like missing out on...
One Big Beautiful Bill contains both wins and losses for Iowa producers
The reconciliation bill, referred to as the One Big, Beautiful Bill, was signed into law. The reaction across the ag industry was mixed, with many farmers celebrating the tax provisions while also lamenting the cuts to SNAP benefits. Mike Stranz, Vice President of...
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Iowa producers watching Prop 12 situation closely
Pork and egg producers across the country were paying close attention yesterday as the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on California's Proposition 12. California voters passed Prop 12 in 2018 essentially banning the sale of conventionally raised pork and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-24-25)
Corn sales rebounded this week after a disappointing performance last week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of this week’s numbers. McBride said bean sales looked weaker at first glance, but strength remained in the old crop numbers. McBride...
Farmland values remain firm at midway point of 2025
Despite challenges with the commodity markets and widespread uncertainty regarding profitability, farmland values are remaining steady at the midway point of 2025. Paul Shadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate with Farmers National Company, explains the economics...
Secretary Naig announces grants for 24 projects to bolster access to biodiesel, E15 in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 24 applications from Iowa fuel retailers to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These investments...
Naig: Conservation, cooperation needed for Iowa water
Iowa agriculture has a responsibility to be a partner in protecting and improving water quality—not just for the benefit of rural communities, but also for our urban neighbors. That partnership was thrust into the spotlight earlier this summer when Des Moines Water...
