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U.S. cropland value surpasses $6,000 per acre for first time
The average value of U.S. cropland has climbed above $6,000 per acre for the first time, underscoring the resilience of farmland prices despite weaker farm income and tighter profit margins. New data compiled by USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service show average cropland values reached just over $6,000 per acre in 2026, extending a multiyear trend of rising land prices. The USDA has reported that farmland values have continued to appreciate since 2021, driven by limited land...
FBI partners with agriculture to defend food supply
Protecting the nation’s food supply is a critical part of national security. While the likelihood of a bioterrorism attack on American agriculture may be low, the stakes are extraordinarily high. An intentional strike against crops or livestock would not only threaten...
Modern Ag Alliance advocates for farmers from coast to coast
Even though the Modern Ag Alliance is only just over one year old, its impact in that short amount of time has been far-reaching. At this point, the coalition now contains over 100 ag organizations. At this year’s Farm Progress Show, Elizabeth Burns-Thompson,...
Consumers shrug off high beef prices
When retail prices for any product reach record-high levels, the demand usually plummets quickly. U.S. beef appears to be the exception to the basic rule of economics. Retail grocery store prices for beef skyrocketed and show no signs of descending. But demand hasn’t...
Wyffels Hybrids providing independent seed solutions for Iowa’s growers
The spring and summer seasons have delivered significant rainfall and warm weather to the state of Iowa and set the table for disease pressure. Mitch Heisler is product and agronomy manager at Wyffels Hybrids and he says the corn in Iowa has had everything thrown at...
Soybean leaders warn of growing tariff consequences
China has effectively shut U.S. soybeans out of its market, instead relying on Brazil to meet its massive demand. The real blow has come from retaliatory tariffs, which have priced American soybeans out and stripped farmers of access to their top export customer. To...
Cattle industry monitoring human screwworm case
A human case of New World screwworm was reported by the Centers for Disease Control after being discovered earlier this month. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the cattle industry will monitor the situation, but this isn’t a risk...
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Supreme Court set to hear challenges to President Trump’s tariffs
The Supreme Court is set to hear challenges to President Trump’s use of a 1977 law to claim emergency tariff power. Recently just four GOP Senators from farm-heavy states backed a Democratic measure to end President Trump’s claim of emergency tariff power. However,...
Southern Rust limited corn crop from reaching lofty expectations
Expectations were high for this year’s crop, and even though disease pressure kept the crops from realizing those lofty expectations, many farmers still saw decent yields. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said harvest should wrap up soon, as these crops...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-4-25)
Farmers in South America are in the early stages of their second crop season of the year. So far, the weather has been mostly favorable for planting progress. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said it’s early enough that the markets aren’t too focused on the...
White House still planning billions in farmer trade aid
Three people familiar with the issue say the Trump administration still intends to roll out an initial payment of up to $12 billion for farmers struggling because of the president’s tariff policies. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said that a program similar to the...
Learning from 2025 to build a better 2026
It’s been one of those Iowa harvests that went smoothly overall, but it gave us a clear look at any shortcomings we had this year. Early planting conditions looked ideal, but as the summer wore on, humidity, storms, and disease pressures really started to challenge...
