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Diversified markets supporting U.S. soybean demand
U.S. soybean exports wrapped up 2025 stronger than many expected, even as trade tensions created challenges in some key markets. According to Jim Sutter, CEO of the U.S. Soybean Export Council, the year finished with the third-highest total soy complex exports ever recorded. That included record soybean meal exports along with solid shipments of whole soybeans and soybean oil. Sutter says retaliatory tariffs connected to trade disputes slowed purchases from China, particularly during the...
Reporting deadline approaching for Farmer Bridge Assistance Program
USDA recently announced $12 billion is available for a Farmer Bridge Assistance Program, and the first deadline for getting signed up for the financial assistance is this week. Richard Fordyce, USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation, said the first...
China not honoring commitments in Phase One Agreement
The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has launched a Section 301 investigation of China’s implementation of the U.S.-China Economic and Trade Agreement, popularly known as the Phase One Agreement. A public hearing on that investigation will open tomorrow (Dec. 16)....
USDA to update Expanding Access to Risk Protection with final rule
The public comment period closes on January 27th for a final rule designed to expand producer access to crop insurance and other risk protections. USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson says the goal of the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP)...
Quarterly economic condition report for U.S. agriculture
The Farm Credit Administration received its quarterly report on economic conditions affecting agriculture and an update on the overall performance of the Farm Credit System. Despite a turbulent year with tariffs and trade, the U.S. economy is expected to end 2025 on a...
Property rights pressure rises across rural America
It is easy to assume Iowa’s fight over carbon pipelines and new transmission lines is something unique to our state. But the same pressures and frustrations are playing out across rural America. Our neighbors to the south in Missouri are confronting many of the same...
Farmer Bridge Assistance program isn’t a long-term solution for economic issues
Earlier this week, the Trump Administration announced the Farmer Bridge Assistance program, which will offer $12 billion in economic aid to farmers impacted by low commodity prices, high input costs, and challenges to market access. While many farmers are appreciative...
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Resetting the ag marketplace as 2026 begins
The final two trading weeks of 2025 were a little quiet. With traders squaring positions and days off from trading for holidays in the middle of each week, volume was light. Normal trading volume will resume next week with a full week of trading ahead of some...
China’s soybean strategy raises questions for U.S. farmers
Efforts by China to reduce its reliance on imported soybeans are raising questions about the long-term outlook for U.S. soybean exports, analysts say. China, the world’s largest soybean buyer, has been encouraging lower soybean meal use in livestock feed and expanding...
Agoro Carbon looks back on successes in 2025
The new year is finally upon us, and the carbon market industry is riding a big wave of momentum out of 2025. Clay Craighton, regional sales manager with Agoro Carbon, said the carbon market industry is starting to get taken more seriously by some of the top companies...
Transportation uncertainty will continue in 2026
Heading into 2026, U.S. agriculture faces questions about transportation challenges. Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, said no one likes uncertainty. Steenhoek said one of the biggest challenges has been the consistently low water...
Rethinking feed additives as cattle management tool
Feed additives have long been part of livestock production, but the way they are being evaluated is changing. As margins tighten and performance pressures increase, producers are taking a closer look at how additives fit into overall herd management, particularly...
