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Diesel aid could drive farm payments to record levels
USDA’s new Harvest Fuel Relief Program could push government payments to farmers to a record $55.4 billion in 2026. According to Progressive Farmer, that’s if the estimated $8 billion in diesel assistance is distributed before year’s end. That would surpass the previous high of $45.6 billion in 2020 and account for nearly one-third of USDA’s projected 2026 net farm income. The program comes as farmers face elevated fuel and fertilizer costs tied in part to Middle East conflict-related market...
Iowa farmers juggle two crop year decisions
Iowa farmers will soon find themselves making ARC and PLC decisions for two different crop years at nearly the same time. As we reported Tuesday, USDA has opened an unusual enrollment period for the 2026 crop that runs through December 11. That signup was delayed as...
AFBF study shows ineffectiveness of U.S. beef import plan
Roughly one month after the Trump administration announced its plan to import beef in an effort to combat high prices at the grocery store, data is showing that prices have not been significantly lowered. New analysis shows that the plan to lower tariffs on imported...
South American Weather and Crop Update (9-29-26)
As the Americas prepare to face what is being called a “super El Niño,” farmers in Brazil and Argentina are moving along with planting season for the next crop. While there is a significant chance for excessive, damaging rains, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride...
Beef prices and herd retention decisions
With turbulent cattle markets due to beef imports and the southern border with Mexico reopening for cattle imports cattle producers have a lot to think about when making decisions for the future of the herd. Will cattle ranchers and farmers make plans for starting the...
Fordyce explains unusual ARC and PLC signup
Persistent rain has kept combines parked across much of Iowa, leaving farmers waiting for fields to dry out and harvest to get moving. While they wait, there is another decision to make involving the 2026 crop. USDA has opened enrollment for the Agriculture Risk...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for urban water quality project grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is accepting pre-applications for cost-share grants to support urban conservation and water quality projects. The locally led projects,...
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USMEF-Mexico celebrates 35 years of market development
As the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization’s Mexico office is also celebrating 35 years of promoting U.S. beef, pork, and lamb. Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF’s regional director for Mexico, Central America, and the...
Nearly 130 Choose Iowa members ready to welcome visitors for statewide Fall Crawl
Nearly 130 Choose Iowa members across the state are preparing to welcome visitors on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, for the second annual Choose Iowa Fall Crawl. The two-day, self-guided event invites Iowans to hit the road, enjoy the fall colors, discover new...
BASF prepares new weapon against soybean cyst nematode
Soybean cyst nematode has been a familiar challenge for Iowa soybean growers for decades, but the pest continues to adapt to some of the tools farmers have relied on to manage it. BASF is preparing to launch Nemisphere in 2028, a new soybean trait designed to provide...
Using precision ag technology to manage farm operations
Precision ag technology can make the challenge of navigating the ever-changing ag industry a bit easier on farmers. Nate Greuel, precision product marketing manager at CNH Industrial, said FieldOps can help farmers process all of the data they get from their farms....
Canada-U.S. trade talks are in limbo
As the Canada-U.S. tariff war continues for targeted industry sectors, trade negotiators on both sides of the border have decided to play the waiting game for now. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated late last week that there is no hurry to get back to the...
