Top Stories
Largest-ever combined corn and soy planted acreage
U.S. farmers planted a record amount of corn and soybeans in the 2026/27 season, USDA reported this week. Combined planted acreage of the two crops reached 183.5 million acres, more than 3 million acres higher than the previous combined crop record. The record was reflected in this week’s Crop Production and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates reports from USDA, which found an additional 1.4 million planted acres for both corn and soybeans, increasing the corn crop slightly and...
Methods to combat heat stress in cattle
With most of the country experiencing on and off instances of extreme heat in recent weeks, producers are working hard to prepare for a potentially long and hot summer for their cattle. Producers need to be preparing for ways to mitigate heat stress in their animals...
Ethanol production reaches highest level in two months
U.S. ethanol production climbed to its highest level in more than two months last week, according to the latest report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Ethanol output averaged 1.117 million barrels per day during the week ending June 26, up from 1.09...
Farmers feeling pressure from all sides
House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig says farmers across the country continue to face significant financial pressure, despite their resilience and optimism. During a press call with agricultural reporters, the Minnesota Democrat said producers...
Practice food safety during Independence Day celebrations
The Fourth of July weekend means a lot of grills firing up for holiday meals. Don’t forget the importance of food safety when cooking on a grill. Meredith Carrothers, technical information specialist with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, talked about the...
When rebuilding the herd, quality must be the focus
For the Angus cattle industry, business has been very good recently. Casey Jentz, Chief Operating Officer at the American Angus Association, says that Angus currently have 80 percent of the market share in the commercial space. He adds that if Angus ranchers could...
Promoting pork for today’s tastes
Driving pork demand and swine health remain top priorities for newly-elected National Pork Board President Chad Groves. He mentioned the importance of the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” campaign in promoting pork consumption and acknowledged the industry’s commitment to...
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More Ag News
High input costs remain a top concern for U.S. producers
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped from May to June. Michael Langemeier, the director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University, discussed the significance of these low numbers. Langemeier expanded on the primary reason...
Two wars add uncertainty to grain markets
Geopolitical tensions continue to influence grain markets as conflicts in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe create uncertainty for global energy and agricultural trade. Ag economist Frayne Olson says the latest developments in the Middle East could have indirect...
July started with heavy rain but has since dried out
This month has already been a crazy one when it comes to the weather. July started off with unrelenting rainfall across much of central Iowa, but since then it has transitioned to a warm and dry pattern. Dan Bjorklund, technical agronomist with Landus Cooperative,...
Drought coverage shrinking across most of the U.S
Spring and early summer rainfall has helped to shrink the drought coverage area in the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the U.S. Drought Monitor looks vastly different as of July 7th compared to the drought monitor maps of April 2026. The areas of D3...
Secretary Naig announces urban water quality projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced four additional urban water quality projects, continuing the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) multi-phase investment in locally-led conservation efforts across Iowa communities. This...
