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Federal Reserve is concerned about the Iran war’s impact on commodity markets
The war with Iran is causing upheaval in the commodity markets. The early volatility has seen an increase in the price of corn and soybeans, but it has also included sharp setbacks. Even more concerning is the risk presented to U.S. farmers and consumers as the conflict in the Middle East drives energy and fertilizer prices higher. During his press conference on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell says the impact is concerning. While oil price spikes immediately drove up headline...
Iowa regulators highlight changes to pesticide guidance
New federal pesticide decisions and evolving endangered species requirements are expected to bring more field-specific guidance for Iowa applicators heading into the growing season. Conversations following the Agribusiness Association of Iowa Showcase highlighted how...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-12-26)
Heading into this week’s export sales report, the markets were expecting to see negative corn sales and positive soybean sales. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the report turned out to be the complete opposite from those estimates. Flash sales were active...
Demand is shifting for U.S. farmland
Farmland values have been resilient and even robust in past several years. However, those prices are entering a new phase as profit margins continue to change. Colton Lacina, the senior vice president of real estate operations for the Farmers National Company, said...
Dietary guidelines implementation updates
Secretaries for the Agriculture and Health and Human Services Departments Wednesday provided an update on implementation progress for the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. That was USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. The guidelines provide guidance for federal food...
Smaller cattle herd means market volatility
It’s well-known that the U.S. cattle herd continues to shrink. The January U.S. Cattle Inventory report showed the total inventory at 86.2 million head on January 1. That was down 300,000 head from last year. American Farm Bureau analysis showed the combination of...
Naig says Iowa agriculture needs stability in uncertain cycle
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says farmers and agribusinesses across the state are facing growing pressure from multiple directions, including higher operating costs, workforce challenges, and continued uncertainty in the broader farm economy. Speaking this...
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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...
Fly season approaching fast for Iowa livestock producers
As livestock producers look ahead to warmer temperatures, fly pressure is already part of the conversation across much of the Midwest. While flies are often viewed as a seasonal annoyance, industry experts say their impact can reach far beyond irritation, affecting...
Iowa ag professionals encouraged to broaden their industry knowledge
A new statewide program is available for mid-career Iowa ag professionals to increase their industry knowledge and professional development in 2026. America’s Cultivation Corridor is hosting the Cultivate 360 program in order to deepen the understanding of Iowa’s food...
CoBank projects increased soybean acres in 2026
A new report from CoBank said farmers may be planting more soybeans in 2026. Tanner Ehmke, the lead economist for grains and oilseeds, talked about the numbers. Ehmke said most of the basis price problems appear to be limited to the Dakotas. On the other hand,...
Iowa Century Farms celebration will tie legacy to America250
As Iowa prepares to mark the nation’s 250th birthday, state agriculture leaders are encouraging farm families to take part in a long-standing tradition that honors generations of stewardship on the land. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now...
