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Food and agriculture generate 20 percent of all U.S. economic activity
Every year, the Feeding the Economy report provides a comprehensive look at the full economic footprint of U.S. food and agriculture. Among the report’s biggest takeaways is that food and agriculture support $10.4 trillion in total U.S. economic output, representing about 20 percent of all economic activity. The sector supports almost 29 million jobs, or roughly 30 percent of total U.S. employment, even though on-farm jobs account for less than two percent. Food and agriculture generate over...
Iowa farmers press E15 message as President Trump visits
As President Trump visits the Des Moines metro today with a focus on energy, the economy, and affordability, Iowa agriculture leaders are watching closely. While the visit brings renewed attention to biofuels, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the message from...
Weather may be more impactful than Cattle on Feed report
Last week’s Cattle on Feed Report didn’t appear to be a market mover. Kyle Bumsted, a livestock market analyst from Allendale, said the report had a very neutral tone. Bumsted said there were signs of early heifer retention late last year, but that doesn’t appear to...
Economic issues impact small communities the hardest
Declining farm income, reduced equipment sales, rising inventory and financing pressures, and trade uncertainty all create ripple effects that impact farmers and the communities they are a part of. A recent hearing with the Senate Committee on Small Business and...
U.S. beef attracts global interest at Gulfood show
With support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is promoting U.S. beef at Gulfood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual food trade shows, attracting prospective buyers not only...
Cattle on Feed Report shows continuing tight supplies
USDA published the first Cattle on Feed Report of the year on Friday January 23rd with few surprises included. USDA livestock economist Michael McConnell says that tightening cattle and beef supplies were demonstrated in the numbers. McConnell says placements in...
U.S. soy exports continued growing in marketing year 2024-2025
The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons of U.S. soy, which included whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil, during the marketing year 2024-2025. That represents a 12.8 percent increase year-over-year and a 2.95 percent gain over the five-year...
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More Ag News
ISA reacts to 45z tax credit news
The soybean markets have seen a ton of support this week, mostly due to the announcement of 45z tax credit guidelines. Soybean farmers across the country have been waiting for this announcement for far too long, and now there is finally a light at the end of the...
USDA Farm Income Forecast is lower for 2026
USDA released the first farm income projections for 2026. Carrie Litkowski, a senior economist with the USDA’s Economic Research Service, said the income forecast is lower this year. Litkowski said there are several notable increases in the forecast as well. For more...
Tracking the price movement in the cattle complex this week
It was a week of ups and downs in the ag marketplace for cattle this week. Two headline stories sent prices down midweek before a recovery on Friday to end the week. Joe Camp of Commstock Investments tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network about one of the news...
Former ag leaders warn of farm economy in crisis
A bipartisan group of former leaders of America’s major agricultural commodity organizations and biofuels organizations, farmer leaders, and former USDA officials issued a stark warning to Congress and the Trump administration. In a letter, they outlined the...
At Renewable Fuels Summit, Reynolds looks back and ahead
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds addressed industry leaders at the Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit this week, highlighting Iowa’s long-standing leadership in renewable fuels and the policy work that helped build the industry into a national force. Reynolds focused on market...
