Top Stories
China soybean demand offers support for U.S. exports
Fresh soybean purchases by China are providing some encouragement for U.S. growers. The Wall Street Journal reports Chinese buyers have begun placing new orders for U.S. soybeans currently being planted. USDA officials say they remain optimistic China will meet previously announced purchasing commitments during the 2026 marketing year. The renewed demand comes as U.S. farmers face increased competition from record South American production. Analysts say Chinese purchases could help support...
EPA stated goals and rules conflict, ag leaders complain
EPA rules on issues from biofuels to water regulation conflict with the administration’s stated goals. That’s according to farm industry leaders. On the one hand, the EPA and Treasury Department say they want to foster a huge new biofuel market in sustainable aviation...
Dockworker strike begins at east and gulf coast ports
Dockworkers at ports stretching from Maine to Texas are walking picket lines as of Tuesday morning, striking over wages and automation. Farm Policy News says it could reignite inflation and cause shortages of goods if it goes more than a few weeks. There was some...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-1-24)
Monsoon season will be starting soon in Brazil, which means they will finally get some much-needed rains. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the upcoming forecast in South America. The longer-term forecast is much the same. McBride added that...
Farmers are already feeling the impact of the expired farm bill
With no new farm bill in place after the 2018 farm bill deadline passed, there are already impacts on U.S. farmers and ranchers. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the American Farm Bureau Federation, outlined some of the programs that went away. Keiffer...
How has U.S. ag trade evolved in the last 100 years?
A lot has changed in the United States ag trade over the last century. USDA senior economist Sharon Sydow at this year’s ag outlook forum explains where the U.S. ag economy was 100 years ago. Price volatility, foreclosures, and high land values were all thorns in the...
U.S. hog inventory up slightly
The U.S. inventory of hogs and pigs on September 1, 2024, totaled 76.5 million head, up slightly from September 1, 2023, and two percent higher than June 1, 2024. Breeding inventory, at 6.04 million head, was down two percent from last year, but up one percent from...
Video
More Ag News
Short stature corn can unlock higher yields
It can still feel like a new product, but short stature corn has been in the market for decades now. As planting season gets nearer, farmers may want to consider this resilient and flexible corn hybrid. Myron Stine, president of Stine Seed, said they believe short...
Farm Bureau details another busy week in D.C.
Several hot topics are making waves in Washington, D.C. this week, and the American Farm Bureau Federation is keeping track of all of them. Just one month after a new Congress was sworn in and two weeks after a new President was inaugurated, our nation’s capital is...
Canada and Mexico tariffs delayed, Grassley voices concerns about potash imports
Last weekend President Trump announced a plan to implement 25% tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada. The tariffs have since been delayed for 30 days to allow for more time for negotiations. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that although he...
Cattle and bison imports resume from Mexico
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing the resumption of cattle and bison imports from Mexico. Those imports will resume in the next several days. To protect U.S. livestock and other animals, APHIS halted shipments of bison and cattle from...
Protect profits: Risk coverage still matters in cattle
Cattle prices may be riding high, but smart producers know the market can turn fast. While strong prices create optimism, they also bring risk—making now the perfect time to secure protection. Unexpected shifts in demand, weather, or input costs can quickly erode...
