Top Stories
Farmers spent $1.4B more on diesel during planting season
A new study by Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that farmers of key crops in the U.S. spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel during the 2025–2026 planting season than they did last season, reports Successful Farming. The increase in diesel spending to plant corn, soybeans, wheat, cotton, and rice was a 63% jump year-over-year. Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota had the highest increase overall. According to Michigan Farm News, the cost doesn’t take into account other war-related increases...
A return to above normal temperatures in mid-September
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says near to above normal temperatures and precipitation are expected for most of the nation for the week of September 16th-22nd. Rippey says the National Weather Service’s 8-14 day outlook calls for a return of warmer temperatures in...
Ag trade deficit hit another record high in July
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit widened further in July, highlighting the challenge facing President Donald Trump as he vows to reverse the trend. Agricultural exports lagged imports by $4.97 billion in July, a gap 9% wider than a year earlier and the largest on...
Grassley warns trade stalemate hurts U.S. farmers
The Trump Administration’s approach to trade has led to prolonged uncertainty in agricultural markets, leaving farmers to contend with tighter margins and unsettled outlooks. While the intent has been to secure better terms for the United States, many of the disputes...
Raising awareness of food insecurity this Hunger Action Month
Food insecurity continues to grow in Iowa, especially in rural areas. Every single county in Iowa is experiencing heightened food insecurity- in fact, 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children don’t know where or when they will get their next meal. But if we can all work...
Golden Harvest delivering trait choices that Iowa growers need
The Golden Harvest line-up of corn is continuing to find new ways to innovate in the push for higher yields, protection from disease, and trait choices that growers want. Rex Gray is a product manager with Golden Harvest and says the Syngenta brand has been investing...
Second MAHA report listens to ag industry
The Make America Healthy Commission released its “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” with more than 120 initiatives addressing childhood health. Brian Glenn, American Farm Bureau Federation Director of Government Affairs, was encouraged that the Commission...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (11-13-25)
With the end of the government shutdown, this will be the last time for the foreseeable future that we will only have export estimates to look at. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales are still expected to be strong. Over in the soybeans,...
Rare bipartisan agreement on USDA in bill to reopen government
In a rare show of bipartisanship Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the USDA spending bill, which was a part of the bill that reopened the government. The USDA spending bill was one of just three full-year spending bills passed. Here is top Ag...
Ag groups react to the end of the government shutdown
American agriculture groups reacted positively to the official end of the government shutdown this week. “American cattle producers need their government running at full capacity to provide critical services and market data,” said Ethan Lane, the senior vice president...
On-farm report expands sustainability beyond the barn
Sustainability for America’s pig farmers is about doing what’s right for pigs, people, and the planet—guided by the industry’s We Care® ethical principles. The Pork Cares Farm Impact Report program helps strengthen market demand for pork, foster valuable partnerships...
Rollins heads USDA Mexico trade mission and screwworm review
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins led the largest USDA agribusiness trade mission ever assembled during a visit to Mexico City last week. The delegation included forty one American companies, more than thirty commodity groups and advocacy groups, six state...
