Top Stories
Drought coverage shrinking across most of the U.S
Spring and early summer rainfall has helped to shrink the drought coverage area in the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the U.S. Drought Monitor looks vastly different as of July 7th compared to the drought monitor maps of April 2026. The areas of D3 and D4 (extreme and exceptional) drought categories are also shrinking, although Rippey says only some of the regions with those designations have seen improvement. The Great Plains is one of the regions that has benefited from...
Farmers and ranchers need Tax Cuts and Jobs Act extended
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is set to expire this year if Congress doesn’t take action. Dustin Sherer, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said that letting the TCJA expire would have significant impacts to agriculture and...
Support announced for HPAI prevention research
USDA is continuing to roll out its plan to combat Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in poultry flocks. On Thursday United States Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced funding for research to assist prevention. The emergency funding is available through a...
Weed control savings versus future costs
Last fall, we had the chance to talk with FMC’s Gail Stratman. We discussed the challenge facing farmers in 2025. We knew that cutting input costs would be an option that farmers would consider going into this growing season, but we mentioned a few places where...
Using corn seed traits to manage pest issues
Disease, pest, and weed pressure get stronger every year, so it’s important to have new seed traits that can better handle those problems. The corn lineup at Pioneer is currently going through some changes to make sure that farmers will have enough tools in their...
Forecasts for soybean world supplies and soybean oil and meal
USDA will release the prospective plantings report on March 31st and will give the first glimpse into what to expect for acreage numbers this planting season. The industry expectation is that there will be a shift of acres from soybeans to corn. However, USDA grains...
USDA expediting direct help for producers
On National Ag Day, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency is issuing up to $10 billion directly to ag producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year. ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased...
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More Ag News
Expanding corn markets a top NCGA goal
U.S. corn growers face mounting challenges in marketing their crop abroad, from persistent ag trade deficits to being undercut by Brazilian corn during their peak harvest season. Shifting global demand has made it harder for American producers to stay competitive....
Harsh tariffs can negatively impact farmer mental health
It’s no secret that the ag economy is volatile right now. With tariffs and other global issues, farmers are feeling the economic squeeze, and that can take a huge toll on their mental health. Matt Willamack, Iowa Soybean Association District 6 board member, said...
Keep an eye out for crop pests as pollination approaches
As we approach the critical pollination window for corn and soybeans, it’s important to make sure your crops are as healthy as they can be. That means crop scouting is especially important in order to keep diseases and pests at bay. Lance Goettsch, DEKALB Asgrow...
Grassley discusses SNAP state cost-share and reconciliation bill
The Senate parliamentarian who ensures that legislative rules and procedure are being followed in the chamber has ruled against a key funding provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful tax and spending bill. Elizabeth MacDonough says the SNAP state cost share...
Hoover Building is the new home of IDALS
As of July 1, 2025, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will call the Hoover State Office Building home. After more than four decades in the Henry A. Wallace State Office Building, the Department will depart the building at the end of June. The...
