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Costs going higher in 2027
USDA's latest Commodity Cost and Returns report shows production expenses are expected to climb for every major crop in 2026 as global energy and fertilizer market disruptions continue to ripple through agriculture. The report follows months of volatility tied to conflict involving Iran and concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Higher fertilizer costs are adding pressure to already tight farm margins. The findings mirror a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey in which...
Dairy Sweet becomes Iowa’s best breaded pork tenderloin contest winner
Dairy Sweet, located in Dunlap, Iowa and owned by Lori and Greg Thomsen, claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2024. This marks a triumphant return to a legacy that began in 2005 when the restaurant first won under the ownership of Lori’s...
Clean energy options are plentiful in rural America
The USDA has announced more funding to construct more clean energy options for rural America. The agency says that it is offering $145 million in funding for 700 loan and grant awards through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, “to help agricultural...
Pork fits in with Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations
Hispanic Heritage Month honors Hispanic people who’ve contributed much to American culture. Jose de Jesus, assistant vice president for consumer marketing at the National Pork Board, talks about Hispanic Heritage Month. Ponle (Pawn – leigh) Pork, translated to “Add...
CLAAS introducing more hay tools to North America lineup
Originally introduced this past spring to European farmers, a popular expanded lineup of CLAAS tedders and mowers will make its way over to North America for the first time in 2025. Producers will be able to check out an expanded DISCO mower line and three new, wider...
FBN expansion of Gradable gives more access to sustainability programs
This fall Farmers Business Network and ADM announced that they have launched a joint venture, Gradable. The new company is an expansion of the Gradable technology platform that has been enabling FBN customers to enroll in programs that provide a premium for grain...
Mississippi River falls during record harvest season
Farm Policy News says that as the fall harvest of record corn and soybean crops is in full swing, Mississippi River conditions continue to get worse. It’s stalling barges trying to move up and down the channel, especially in the Lower Mississippi River. That means...
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Feenstra supporting legislation to exempt farm assets from FAFSA
For years, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) has not been kind to college students in farming families. Due to some flaws in the program, farmers must label their machinery, land, and small businesses as liquid assets, even though they are not...
Management strategies are vital to controlling resistant weeds
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa held its annual Agribusiness Showcase & Conference last week in Altoona. The event brings together professionals in agriculture to discuss the latest trends and technologies. The showcase also features educational sessions and...
Demand for U.S. beef is very strong in Mexico’s foodservice sector
U.S. beef is thriving in Mexico’s foodservice and hospitality sectors, but each major destination in Mexico has specific product needs. Gerardo Rodriguez, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) regional director for Mexico, Central America, and the Dominican Republic,...
Brazil says U.S. ethanol tariff would be unreasonable
Brazil’s Energy and Mining Minister Alexandre Silveira said on Thursday that a potential U.S. tariff on Brazilian ethanol would be unreasonable, emphasizing that the two countries have historically negotiated ethanol and sugar trade together. His remarks came after...
Presidents who shaped American farming and agriculture
Throughout American history, many Presidents have had deep roots in farming, shaping not only the nation's agricultural policies but also its identity as a land of hardworking stewards of the soil. From George Washington, who experimented with innovative farming...
