Top Stories
New report showcases positive impacts of biofuels on ag productivity
U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action's recent report from S&P Global Energy shows biofuels' potential for boosting farm profitability and rural economies. For Chip Bowling, vice chair of U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action, expanding the market for biofuels is vital, as they present a unique opportunity for creating a long-term market-driven demand that rewards farmers from modern practices while revitalizing rural economies. Bowling added that the declining numbers of farms between 2002...
Solinftec’s new docking station takes autonomy to new level
We have talked in the past about Solinftec’s autonomous sprayers that can go around your field, under solar power, and take care of your spraying needs 24/7. However, there have been questions about how often the unit needs attending. Just like with any piece of...
Biden announces $7.3 million investment in rural electrification
President Biden traveled to Wisconsin today to announce an investment of $7.3 billion in affordable and reliable electricity for rural America through the Inflation Reduction Act. Sixteen rural electric cooperatives across 23 states- including Iowa- will be selected...
USDA net farm income report highlights need for new farm bill
The latest Net Farm Income Report shows a 23 percent drop in net farm income compared to 2022. Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, says farms losing a quarter of their income isn’t economically sustainable. Duvall says there are a number of...
DEKALB seed technology in the spotlight at The Field of Dreams
DEKALB corn is once again in the spotlight in eastern Iowa, with DEKALB announcing that it is the exclusive corn seed brand featured at the Field of Dreams Movie Site near Dyersville. That is DEKALB brand manager Jamie Horton who says this is the third installment of...
GHX system offers Iowa farmers a year-round seed company partnership
In the past, it seemed like once we got our seeds, our interaction with our dealers was over until it was time to order next year’s seeds. Nowadays, each season is a full year or more from planning to harvest. Seed companies are often the ones providing us with crop...
Secretary Naig announces availability of pesticide applicator testing options
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again offering in-person and online pesticide applicator testing options for commercial and private applicators this fall. The Department encourages...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-14-25)
Some rain has returned to the forecast in South America, providing relief to the crops that were experiencing dry weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. Harvest is just getting started in...
More data released on foreign-owned land
Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land remains a widely debated topic. Two additional years of data from 2022 and 2023 became available recently, and Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said only a small portion of foreign-owned...
Grassley presses Trump EPA pick Zeldin on anti-ethanol votes in Congress
A senior United States senator pressed Donald Trump’s pick to head the EPA, Lee Zeldin, ahead of his confirmation hearing regarding Zeldin’s ethanol votes during his time in Congress. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met recently with former New York Congressman Lee...
Autonomous equipment use to grow 12 percent
The autonomous harvester market size is expected to record a 12 percent annual growth rate between 2024 and 2032. Global Market Insights says the rise will be fueled by a surge in product launches and the melding of advanced technologies with farm management systems....
USB showing the value of the Soy Checkoff in 2025
Yesterday we talked with United Soybean Board (USB) Executive Committee Member Rob Ewoldt, an Iowa producer. We talked about some of the challenges and opportunities that the USB is looking at in 2025. We know that the current situation is going to make it tough for...
