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New ARC/PLC acres will be specifically distributed
Thirty million new base acres in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill won’t be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the USDA is electing to distribute those acres in a more organized way. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said producers don’t need to rush to their FSA office for the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) base acres. Fordyce said this will keep farmers from having to stake their claim on base...
What to expect in the Prospective Plantings Report
The 2026 USDA Prospective Plantings Report is scheduled for release on Tuesday March 31st. The report surveys farmer planting intentions for major crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and more. This report gives us the first real snapshot of what planted acreage...
Searching for Iowa’s Best Burger
For those searching for the best burger in Iowa, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are making the quest easier as they announce the top 10 finalists in the 17th annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. More than 350 restaurants were...
2025 saw almost record volume and value for pork exports
2025 proved to be another strong year for U.S. pork exports, with a volume of 2.9 million metric tons. This is three percent shy of the 2024 record, but it was still the third highest on record. Value was three percent down from 2024’s record but the second highest...
Understanding soil variability can improve crop management
Understanding what is happening below the soil surface can help farmers make more precise agronomic decisions and better target their input investments. New tools are allowing growers and agronomists to collect more detailed soil data that can reveal variability...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-12-26)
Once again, the export sales for corn and soybeans tell two different stories. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales had yet another strong week. Soybeans, on the other hand, have seen disappointing sales in four of the last five weeks. However,...
45z tax credit is almost across the finish line
The public comment period on the 45z tax credit proposal is ending on April 5th. Since this legislation has been in the works for so long, it’s incredibly important for producers to speak up on what they want to see in it. Mitchell Hora, founder of Continuum Ag, said...
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Leasing and financing options shaping equipment decisions
As equipment markets begin to stabilize, the next question for many farmers is not just what to buy, but how to pay for it. With tighter margins and less available cash on hand, financing decisions are becoming just as important as the equipment itself. Corey...
Iowa soybean farmers could see another great crop in 2026
Everybody remembers the diseases issues that plagued the Iowa corn crop last year, but soybeans were able to quietly have a successful year for yields. Chris Pritchett of Pioneer said Z-Series soybeans have gained a strong presence here in Iowa. Every year, the top...
AFBF concerned about proposed UP-NS rail merger
The $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads would create the first coast-to-coast railroad across 43 states. Danny Munch, economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the big concern is the loss of competitive pressure across...
Offering growers options and simplicity with new soybean trait stack
At this year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio Texas, Syngenta announced its new soybean trait stack, Enlist E3® Expance™ soybeans. Jared Benson, head of portfolio strategy for soybeans with Syngenta provides some of the details of the next generation trait stack....
Ag retailers outline 2026 policy priorities
The Agricultural Retailers Association outlined its 2026 Public Policy Priorities, announcing a comprehensive agenda designed to support America’s ag retailers and strengthen the nation’s food and supply chains. The priorities also support science-based, practical...
