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Trump order protects glyphosate, phosphate production
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect the domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order says these two critical inputs are essential to military readiness and America’s agricultural strength, respectively. The Order finds that any interruption of the supply of either of these critical materials could leave the defense industrial base and food supply vulnerable to hostile foreign actors. Reuters...
Weather may be more impactful than Cattle on Feed report
Last week’s Cattle on Feed Report didn’t appear to be a market mover. Kyle Bumsted, a livestock market analyst from Allendale, said the report had a very neutral tone. Bumsted said there were signs of early heifer retention late last year, but that doesn’t appear to...
Economic issues impact small communities the hardest
Declining farm income, reduced equipment sales, rising inventory and financing pressures, and trade uncertainty all create ripple effects that impact farmers and the communities they are a part of. A recent hearing with the Senate Committee on Small Business and...
U.S. beef attracts global interest at Gulfood show
With support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is promoting U.S. beef at Gulfood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual food trade shows, attracting prospective buyers not only...
Cattle on Feed Report shows continuing tight supplies
USDA published the first Cattle on Feed Report of the year on Friday January 23rd with few surprises included. USDA livestock economist Michael McConnell says that tightening cattle and beef supplies were demonstrated in the numbers. McConnell says placements in...
U.S. soy exports continued growing in marketing year 2024-2025
The United States exported 68.7 million metric tons of U.S. soy, which included whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soybean oil, during the marketing year 2024-2025. That represents a 12.8 percent increase year-over-year and a 2.95 percent gain over the five-year...
Iowa farmers unlikely to see diesel relief from Venezuelan oil
Recent headlines surrounding Venezuela and its oil supply have raised questions across rural America, especially after the United States intervened in the country, removed a leader many viewed as a dictator, and announced it would temporarily control Venezuela’s oil...
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NE Iowa farmer saw impressive soybean yields in 2025
Last year’s crop season was full of curveballs, but farmers were still able to grow some very successful crops. In fact, several Iowa farmers were winners of the 2025 Asgrow Brand National Yield Contest. The annual competition is open to any farmers in the U.S. who...
Dairy producers see unexpected spike in market prices
A recent jump in the dairy markets was good news for dairy producers. Mike North, the president of the producer division with Ever.Ag, appeared at the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo and said the spike in prices was driven by weather. North said in this era of price...
Data tells the sustainability story
Hog producers strive to raise pigs in a way that produces healthier pigs, healthier people, and a healthier planet every day. However, if producers cannot demonstrate results through data and measurable metrics it is hard to pass that message on to the supply chain,...
House Ag Chair wants farm bill 2.0 in February
GT Thompson, the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has tentatively set a farm bill markup for the week of February 23. Politico said that’s according to three sources familiar with Thompson’s plans. While the formal text of his farm bill has yet to be...
Cash flow pressures reshape equipment decisions on Iowa farms
Tight margins continue to shape decision-making on farms across Iowa. While disease pressure still plays a role, commodity prices and cash flow have become the dominant concerns for many producers, especially when it comes to equipment purchases. Those pressures are...
