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BASF XARVIO® guides fungicide application timing
With crop margins remaining tight, farmers are looking for every opportunity to make the most of each input dollar. Digital agriculture tools are becoming a larger part of that effort, helping growers use field-level data and predictive modeling to make more informed crop management decisions. BASF says its XARVIO® Field Manager platform is designed to improve scouting and fungicide application timing by identifying fields that are at the greatest risk for disease. Rather than relying only on...
Wehrbein: Market highs bring relief and uncertainty
Last week, we visited with NCBA President Buck Wehrbein about his outlook for the future of agriculture. Today, we continue that discussion, focusing on some of the issues cattle producers are closely watching — from strong but complicated markets to animal health...
Keeping pigs cool during hot summer months
During the hot Iowa summer months, it is highly important for swine producers to protect their pigs from heat stress in order to maintain their health and productivity. Mark Oberreuter, ag engineer at Automated Production, said pigs are just as susceptible to heat...
Secure Pork Supply Plan can help Iowa pig farmers
The Secure Pork Supply Plan, or SPS, helps producers proactively plan for enhanced biosecurity, animal traceability, and disease monitoring for both foreign animal disease outbreaks endemic diseases. Meredith Peterson, director of swine health for the National Pork...
Northwest Iowa crops standing strong against wind damage and disease pressure
At this point of the growing season in Iowa, the crops look outstanding and early reports from the field are calling for bin busting yields. However, there are still concerns about the threats to crops that can rob yield on the way to the finish line. Northwest Iowa...
USDA issues August livestock report
Based on the mid-year cattle report, a further tightening is expected of calves available for placement in late 2025 and early 2026. The report also suggests steady but gradual changes to inventories of beef cows and replacement heifers. That means the 2025 and 2026...
Iowa corn yields strong, but profits under strain
While Iowa Corn Day at the State Fair gave growers a chance to celebrate ethanol’s impact and future potential, Iowa Corn Growers Association President Stu Swanson also reminded fairgoers that not everything in agriculture is cause for celebration. Beyond the push for...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-28-25)
While we wait to hear more official news about President Trump’s Argentine beef import plan, farmers in South America are rolling along with planting season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in Brazil and Argentina....
Increasing opportunities for U.S. pork in South Korea
South Korea ranks as the fifth-largest market for U.S. pork year-to-date. Andy Tauer, vice president of international market development with the National Pork Board, said strong consumer demand in South Korea is expected to keep growing, which could move the country...
Trade talks boost grain markets ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s preliminary negotiations with Chinese trade officials, the grain markets have rallied significantly ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. Commodity broker Joe Camp of Commstock...
Bessent: deal set for China to begin importing U.S. Soybeans
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects that China won’t impose export controls on rare earth mineral exports, and the U.S. won’t impose 100 percent tariffs on China. During separate interviews over the weekend, Bessent said trade negotiations with China have...
Naig says Congress has wasted enough time
As the government shutdown drags into its twenty-eighth day, frustration across the country is boiling over. From farmers waiting on FSA offices to reopen, to families relying on SNAP benefits, real Americans are paying the price while Congress remains stuck in its...
