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Federal farm safety net payments reach record $13.8 billion
Federal farm safety-net payments are expected to reach a record $13.8 billion for the 2025 crop year, reflecting the growing importance of government assistance to American agricultural producers. USDA says payments through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs will be the largest since Congress established them in the 2014 farm bill. The programs provide financial protection when commodity prices or farm revenues fall below established thresholds. USDA says the...
Two wars add uncertainty to grain markets
Geopolitical tensions continue to influence grain markets as conflicts in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe create uncertainty for global energy and agricultural trade. Ag economist Frayne Olson says the latest developments in the Middle East could have indirect...
July started with heavy rain but has since dried out
This month has already been a crazy one when it comes to the weather. July started off with unrelenting rainfall across much of central Iowa, but since then it has transitioned to a warm and dry pattern. Dan Bjorklund, technical agronomist with Landus Cooperative,...
Drought coverage shrinking across most of the U.S
Spring and early summer rainfall has helped to shrink the drought coverage area in the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the U.S. Drought Monitor looks vastly different as of July 7th compared to the drought monitor maps of April 2026. The areas of D3...
Secretary Naig announces urban water quality projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced four additional urban water quality projects, continuing the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) multi-phase investment in locally-led conservation efforts across Iowa communities. This...
May meat exports paint a complex picture
Exports of U.S. beef and pork were held back in May by key market access issues, beginning with suspensions of beef plants in China. According to USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom, market access issues in China and Mexico have limited U.S. beef and pork exports....
Latin America offers new export opportunities
Latin America continues to present new opportunities for U.S. ethanol exports, with established markets remaining strong and several countries expanding their use of biofuels. Marri Tejada, regional director for Latin America with the U.S. Grains and BioProducts...
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Boozman releases revised Farm Bill 2.0 ahead of Senate markup
John Boozman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has released updated legislative text for Farm Bill 2.0, the Agricultural Act of 2026, ahead of a committee markup scheduled for this week. The revised proposal includes new language authorizing year-round...
Asia wants U.S. ethanol
Japan's push to reduce carbon emissions could open new export opportunities for the U.S. ethanol industry. As the country moves toward wider use of E20 fuel, Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen is leading a trade mission to Japan to highlight the state's role in producing...
Latest look at ag land values
USDA recently published the latest edition of its Land Values report which provides a snapshot of the value of various agricultural properties. Lance Honig of the National Agricultural Statistics Service offers a summary of the report. Honig also breaks down the...
BASF XARVIO® guides fungicide application timing
With crop margins remaining tight, farmers are looking for every opportunity to make the most of each input dollar. Digital agriculture tools are becoming a larger part of that effort, helping growers use field-level data and predictive modeling to make more informed...
New Renewable Fuel Standard volumes spurring industry growth
The Environmental Protection Agency's new Renewable Fuel Standard volumes are giving the biodiesel industry a significant boost. The agency raised biomass-based diesel obligations to levels the industry says more accurately reflect production capacity. Paul Winters,...
