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...
National Farmers Union sets 2025 policy priorities during national convention
The National Farmers Union recently held its national convention in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and detailed its policy priorities for 2025. As with most farmer and ag based groups, NFU President Rob Larew says one of the top priorities for the year is a new five-year...
NPPC celebrates future leaders with annual scholarship awards
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) proudly announced the recipients of the 2025 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship and Neil Dierks Scholarship at the National Pork Industry Forum. Sponsored in partnership with CME Group and the National Pork...
Seeing growth in high-oleic soy market
We often talk about innovation within the soybean checkoff—how new technologies and practices drive the industry forward. But it’s one thing to discuss innovation in theory and another to hear firsthand from a farmer putting it into practice. That’s where real insight...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-13-25)
Despite a slight miss to the corn sales, the grain numbers from this week’s export sales were positive for the marketplace. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. McBride said the markets will keep a close eye on...
Farm lenders and insurers implore ag lawmakers for new farm bill
Farm lenders, insurers, and growers pleaded with Senate Ag lawmakers to pass a new farm bill now with improved crop insurance, reference prices, and loan programs. That is Ben Noble, a former Senate staffer and head of Arkansas’ Riceland Foods. Caleb Hopkins with...
Urban farmers can apply for cost-share to boost beneficial insects
Urban farmers can now get cost-share and technical support to boost beneficial insect habitat on their farms through Practical Farmers of Iowa’s and Xerces Society’s beneficial insects cost-share. Sign-ups are now open and available until funding runs out. “Urban...
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More Ag News
Asian longhorned tick confirmed in Iowa for the first time
Recently, theileriosis- a disease that is predominantly transmitted through the Asian longhorned tick- was detected in a Southeast Iowa cattle herd. This is the first outbreak in Iowa since the invasive tick was first detected in New Jersey during 2017. Grant Dewell,...
Cover Crop Business Accelerator program accepting applications for sixth year
Cover crop acres in Iowa have seen a sharp increase in the past several years. To support cover crop adoption, Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) and the Iowa Soybean Association offer the Cover Crop Business Accelerator (CCBA) program. The program helps both new and...
Strong piglets are the key to raising more profitable pigs
Producers are always striving to raise pigs to reach their full growth potential. One of the most important pieces of that puzzle is ensuring that young pigs get a good start to maximize their potential. Alex Hintz is a technical service representative with the swine...
Nearly 70 Choose Iowa members to welcome guests for the Choose Iowa Farm Store Crawl
Nearly 70 Choose Iowa members from across Iowa will welcome guests on Saturday and Sunday, June 21 and 22, for the first ever Choose Iowa Farm Store Crawl. This fun weekend event offers Iowans and tourists an opportunity to explore diverse agricultural offerings,...
Pork sector not immune to Screwworm danger
The New World Screwworm is once again drawing attention as it creeps closer to the U.S. border. While it hasn’t been found in the United States, recent cases further south have raised red flags across the livestock industry. Because this flesh-eating parasite can...
