Top Stories
Naig urges safety as harvest impatience grows
Rain has kept many Iowa combines parked as farmers wait for fields to dry, and with October approaching, the desire to finally get harvest underway continues to build. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said that anticipation is evident as he travels across the state. While some chopping, high-moisture corn harvest and seed harvest have taken place, widespread harvest activity still needs drier conditions. That impatience also makes the timing of National Farm Safety and Health Week...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-23-25)
As the calendar year wraps up, the markets are paying a lot of attention to the weather down in South America. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the next two weeks will be critical for the crops in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said planting progress is...
USMCA renegotiation is a big opportunity for U.S. agriculture
The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is up for review in 2026, and updating the agreement has the potential to benefit U.S. farmers. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said preparations are already underway....
Breaking down the USDA December Cattle on Feed Report
While the overall number of cattle in the United States remains at extremely low levels, the trend of lower cattle inventories in feedlots is continuing. That is reflected in the December USDA Cattle on Feed Report says USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell....
Six individuals appointed to NPB Board of Directors
The National Pork Board (NPB) welcomes five appointees to serve a three-year term ending in June 2028, and one appointee to serve a two-year term ending in June 2027. Congratulations to the following producer leaders: • Chad Groves, Kansas • Jessica Stevens,...
Farmers want to sell their crops, not collect payments
As Iowa farmers look back on 2025 and begin planning for the year ahead, trade remains one of the biggest issues shaping the future of agriculture. It has been a year marked by disruption, uncertainty, and tight margins, leaving many producers searching for stability...
Looking back on 2025 and preparing for 2026 in the swine industry
It’s important for pig farmers to take a close look at the balance sheet because it helps set the fundamental outlook moving forward into the coming year. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says one of the key highlights has been production, which was projected...
Video
More Ag News
U.S. and Taiwan sign reciprocal trade agreement
Last week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the agreement includes significant market access gains for U.S....
NASCAR partnering with POET to use new zero-carbon fuel
As part of a new partnership with POET, NASCAR has become the first major U.S. motorsport to utilize zero-carbon ethanol. This makes POET, which is already the nation’s largest biofuel producer, the Official Biofuel Partner of NASCAR. POET Founder and CEO Jeff Broin...
Full-scale beef herd rebuild remains on hold
Typically, when beef prices are at a high level in the grocery store and herd numbers are low, the response is a rebuilding of supply. Nate Kauffman, the senior vice president and Omaha branch executive for the Kansas City Fed, says the numbers show there should be...
Secretary Naig calls on Congress for year-round E15 access
Today, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig urged the U.S. House of Representatives’ Rural Domestic Energy Council to find agreement to make year-round E15 available to drivers around the country. Secretary Naig, a longtime biofuels advocate, reinforced the...
Iowa farmers face demand gap as production grows
Iowa farmers continue to push productivity higher, but new demand has not kept pace with that growth. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw told members that agriculture is once again facing a familiar challenge: more grain than existing...
