Top Stories
New ARC/PLC acres will be specifically distributed
Thirty million new base acres in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill won’t be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the USDA is electing to distribute those acres in a more organized way. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said producers don’t need to rush to their FSA office for the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) base acres. Fordyce said this will keep farmers from having to stake their claim on base...
Ecuador agrees to reciprocal trade agreement with U.S.
On March 13, Ecuador became the ninth country to sign an Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States. The agreement will take some time to implement, but once in place it will remove both tariff and non-tariff barriers for U.S. beef and pork exports. U.S....
IDALS awards 30 value-added Choose Iowa grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 30 Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants to Iowa farmers, small businesses, and organizations located across the state. Grant recipients were...
Farm bill uncertainty persists as lawmakers debate key ag policies
Uncertainty surrounding the next farm bill continues as lawmakers remain divided on several key agricultural and nutrition policy issues. Members of Congress from both parties agree on the need to update farm programs, but disagreements over funding levels, nutrition...
Ernst backs Glen Smith, USDA restructuring plan
Another Iowan could soon be stepping into a key USDA leadership role, while the department also looks to reshape how it operates across the country. Senator Joni Ernst says Glen Smith is moving through the confirmation process for a USDA under secretary role, calling...
Fareway and Murphy Family Foundation team up for 6th annual food donation
This past Tuesday, the Murphy Family Foundation teamed up with Fareway for the sixth year in a row of donating Easter meal kits to the Food Bank of Iowa. Food insecurity is still more present than ever across the state, and these meal kits will provide a sense of...
Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture’s impact
Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the report tracks three layers of impact. Munch said when you combine those...
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More Ag News
Breaking down the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports
The USDA released both the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports on March 31st. Heading into the day, the markets were anticipating big news from the planting acres, but it seems that there was more to react to in the grain stocks report. Allendale...
Trump administration steps up as Congress fails to pass year-round E15
After Congress failed to act on key biofuels policy- namely year-round E15- the Trump administration is reportedly stepping up to the plate to get something more permanent done. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said recent announcements have...
What is the next step for year-round E15 legislation?
Last week the EPA issued a waiver to allow for summertime E15 sales across the country in 2026. However, permanent legislation for E15 sales year-round is still a priority for many Midwest politicians hoping to provide certainty for farmers and retailers. United...
Secretary Naig presents 2026 Ag Leader Awards for outstanding contributions to Iowa agriculture
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recognized one individual and two organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the continued success, resilience, and growth of Iowa agriculture during the 14th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on March 30 in...
Nitrogen ROI matters more in 2026
With tighter crop margins forcing farmers to scrutinize every input dollar this season, nitrogen management remains one of the biggest opportunities to protect return on investment. Ron Calhoun with Nutrien says the focus is not simply cutting nitrogen, but improving...
