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South American Weather and Crop Update (6-23-26)
It’s the dry season in South America, and the forecasts definitely reflect that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this isn’t a huge problem yet, but they are monitoring the weather. McBride said harvest progress is behind in Brazil, but it is approaching the final stages. While it is lagging behind as well, harvest is also very close to completion in Argentina. Looking ahead, McBride said there are a few major factors that can impact the upcoming planting season for soybeans in...
Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a...
Rural Energy Council is a “disgrace”
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was very unhappy after it was announced that a legislative fix for year-round E15 was dropped from the January government funding bill. It was further incensed that Congress would instead form a “rural...
Iowa ag efforts meet setbacks as policy debates continue
Iowa agriculture continues to face pressure from growing production and slower demand growth, a dynamic that has weighed on commodity prices and raised broader questions about market access for farmers. Those issues were discussed earlier this week during a...
Potential ag impacts from significant winter system
A winter storm is set to move across the country this week and could have adverse effects for agriculture. The storm is unique in that it is tracking farther south than would be expected at this time of the year says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Southern states are...
Trump’s tariffs make a tough economy even tougher
As President Trump continues with his trade policies, farmers in Iowa are feeling the squeeze economically. It’s going to take much more than a bridge payment to make sure that family farms in Iowa are able to keep operating in the future. Iowa Farmers Union President...
Analysis shows the farm economy still needs help
While some progress has been made in stabilizing the farm economy through the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and Emergency Commodity Assistance Program, recent numbers show that farmers still need help. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau...
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More Ag News
Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids
Agriculture’s role in eastern Iowa will be recognized later this month as the annual Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids. The event brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, community members, and local officials to highlight agriculture’s importance...
Iowa Soybean Association conducts industry-leading on-farm research
In order to continue to develop the soybean industry, it’s important to focus on more than just the bushels that make it through the combine. Without research, many of the latest ag developments simply wouldn’t exist. Aaron Putze, chief officer of brand management and...
USDA sets spring crop insurance prices
As spring planting gears up across the country, the Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency has determined crop insurance prices for 2026. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, has details on three major crops. Parum said these...
Significant drought coverage in ag production areas
Although planting season is just a few weeks away, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows significant drought coverage in ag production regions of the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey details the situation for the major corn and soybean growing regions of...
House Ag Committee advances farm bill
The House Agriculture Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early on Thursday. While the markup was slowed by partisan fighting about the package, the legislation was approved with the backing of seven Democrats. Politico said that the bill is...
