Top Stories
Farmers spent $1.4B more on diesel during planting season
A new study by Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that farmers of key crops in the U.S. spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel during the 2025–2026 planting season than they did last season, reports Successful Farming. The increase in diesel spending to plant corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice was a 63% jump year-over-year. Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota had the highest increase overall. According to Michigan Farm News, the cost doesn’t take into account other war-related increases...
Iowa farmers urged to keep tar spot from ruining bumper crop
Iowa has received plenty of rain recently, and the temperatures have finally cooled off as well. On top of that, we’re looking at one of the biggest crops in recent history. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said he’s not sure that he’s ever seen such a big...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-30-25)
The weather in South America has still not changed much, with farmers in Brazil and Argentina seeing mostly clear and dry conditions. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there are scattered rain showers, but otherwise the weather remains status quo. The dry...
Basis matters now, say Midwest ag economists
Tight corn supplies might normally trigger a rally in the market, but so far, that hasn’t been the case. Despite strong demand and dwindling stocks, futures prices have stayed relatively steady. That’s because—while the numbers show a squeeze—markets may be confident...
Argentina makes permanent tax cuts to ag exports
Recently, Argentina President Javier Milei announced permanent export tax cuts for a wide variety of agricultural commodities. The biggest impact globally will be seen in the soybean marketplace, as Argentina is the world’s largest exporter of soybean meal. Allendale...
Bullish news hard to find in current ag marketplace
A current snapshot of the ag marketplace shows front month corn below $4 and soybeans below the $10 mark. Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of bullish news for the markets to react to right now to generate positive price movement. John Heinberg is a Market Advisor with...
Trade agreements will benefit Iowa grain and livestock producers
A flurry of recent trade agreements and frameworks have been announced by the Trump administration ahead of the looming August 1 reciprocal tariff implementation deadline. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said several of the deals...
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Markets are looking for news as government shutdown persists
There’s no clear end in sight yet for this government shutdown, and the markets are desperately looking for news headlines to trade. While there are a few things worth looking at, there’s not much solid news to trade on even outside of government reports. Allendale...
AFBF asks Congress and White House for farm aid
Farmers and ranchers are facing extreme economic pressures. The overall U.S. farm economy is in very bad shape, and the long-term viability of the sector is in danger. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said costs have...
AI in agriculture is here and assisting farmers each day
AI, or artificial intelligence, is beginning to be applied to agriculture in tangible ways that can assist farmers with day-to-day tasks. Heather Hampton Knodle, president of Knodle Farms in Illinois, recently spoke about AI at the Rural Economic Outlook Conference at...
Bayer partners with Cornfed Farms to create first ForwardFarm in Midwest
Bayer is proud to announce that Cornfed Farms, a fourth-generation farm operated by the Mohr family, has been designated as the first Bayer ForwardFarm site in the Midwest and the only ForwardFarm in the United States. This recognition places Cornfed Farms as one of...
The rock that feeds the world: Inside a Canadian Potash mine
Most farmers are familiar with potash as a key source of potassium on a fertilizer tag, which helps crops grow stronger, healthier, and more productive. But fewer have stopped to think about where it actually comes from. Before it ever reaches a field, potash begins...
