Top Stories
Farmers weigh fungicide against tight margins
Even with crops looking good across much of Iowa, many producers are still facing difficult financial decisions. Depressed commodity prices and elevated input costs continue to squeeze profit margins, forcing farmers to carefully evaluate every input they purchase. Shelbi Nederhoff, Territory Manager with Nutrien Financial, says one of the biggest discussions this summer centers on fungicide applications and whether the investment will provide enough return to protect the bottom line. While...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-12-25)
This week’s export sales had some very nice numbers, but much of that was ignored with the recent announcements from the EPA. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales from the USDA. McBride said there could be some beneficial...
Iowa Biodiesel Board pleased with biomass-based diesel volumes from EPA
Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s release of the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027, ag and biofuel groups are publishing their reactions to the proposed volumes. Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board...
World Pork Expo hosts second Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet
The second annual Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet was held at this year’s World Pork Expo. The event, which is for young people aged 18-22, has competitors take a deep dive into current pork industry issues and gain an understanding of the National Pork Producers...
ISU CALS News: Change in leadership for CALS Career Services
Plans are in place to continue offering students the high level of support the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office has become known for, following the recent retirement of two long-time employees. Mike Gaul has served as director of CALS...
Bringing together family and farming through innovation and mentorship
At first glance, farming might not seem like a way to strengthen family ties or inspire the next generation, but for Robb Ewoldt, it’s exactly that. As a dedicated Iowan farmer, a Director of the United Soybean Board, and former President of the Iowa Soybean...
June WASDE report overshadowed in commodity markets by EPA news
This month’s WASDE report was mostly neutral, which is what we usually expect from the USDA at this time of year. More will be revealed about the status of this year’s crop at the end of the month. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the old crop corn ending...
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More Ag News
Butter prices plunge despite strong export demand
After a brief stretch of optimism, the dairy sector is once again under pressure, with butter prices sliding to their lowest levels since 2021. Just last year, strong demand and high prices gave producers hope that a rebound was underway, but the momentum has quickly...
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa fields
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa corn fields this year, and farmers who did not treat their fields beforehand are feeling the pain. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service representative in Eastern Iowa, said that, while no fungicide is able to perfectly handle...
Beef-on-dairy sector growing in popularity
Many industry experts say the beef-on-dairy sector is booming, as are efforts to make these cows as profitable as possible for producers. Laurence Williams, Dairy-Beef Cross Development Lead at Purina, said genetics are an important component when it comes to the best...
Making tough decisions on fall fertilizer
As the harvest season approaches farmers are preparing to make tough decisions on fertilizer. With phosphorus and potassium prices high, some growers might be tempted to pull back on fertilizer but that can be a rash decision that can lead to problems in the future....
Is the U.S. corn and soybean crop getting smaller?
From disease to drought, the 2025 crop has been thrown a curveball late in the season. It’s also pushing the crop to maturity quicker. And with USDA currently projecting a record yield and crop, many analysts say the U.S. crop is likely going backwards in terms of...
