Top Stories
Pork prices holding above the cost of production
Pork supplies are similar to a year ago, even with hogs being fed to heavier weights before being sent to market. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says demand has been steady for several quarters, and prices continue to remain above the cost of production. Schulz breaks down the economics of pork operations by size. The data comes from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Schulz says that global demand for U.S. pork has softened slightly. However, he also points out that...
Naig says Congress has wasted enough time
As the government shutdown drags into its twenty-eighth day, frustration across the country is boiling over. From farmers waiting on FSA offices to reopen, to families relying on SNAP benefits, real Americans are paying the price while Congress remains stuck in its...
October is National Manufacturing Month
October is National Manufacturing Month, and manufacturers are incredibly important for the ag industry. Manufacturing is also a big part of Iowa’s economy, with over 220,000 Iowans employed in the manufacturing industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said...
Digging into the relationship between crop yields and soil fertility
At the end of harvest season, growers do not have much time to take a break and enjoy the hard work of the growing season. It’s also the time when farmers begin to start building a plan for next year. A big portion of crop yield is tied directly to soil fertility...
Former ISU professor to receive prestigious USMEF award
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the 2025 recipients of its two most prestigious awards, who will be honored Nov. 13 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted...
Secretary Naig, Governor Reynolds encourage farmers to plant fall cover crops
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Governor Kim Reynolds are encouraging Iowa farmers to plant cover crops this fall to improve water quality and save money on next year’s crop insurance premiums. The savings are offered through the Iowa Department of Agriculture...
Experts doubt Argentina beef plan will have significant benefit
The Trump administration is proposing to increase beef imports from Argentina as a way to balance supplies and bring relief to consumers facing high prices. However, many in the livestock industry say the move would do little to address the core issues driving the...
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Supreme Court set to hear challenges to President Trump’s tariffs
The Supreme Court is set to hear challenges to President Trump’s use of a 1977 law to claim emergency tariff power. Recently just four GOP Senators from farm-heavy states backed a Democratic measure to end President Trump’s claim of emergency tariff power. However,...
Southern Rust limited corn crop from reaching lofty expectations
Expectations were high for this year’s crop, and even though disease pressure kept the crops from realizing those lofty expectations, many farmers still saw decent yields. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said harvest should wrap up soon, as these crops...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-4-25)
Farmers in South America are in the early stages of their second crop season of the year. So far, the weather has been mostly favorable for planting progress. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said it’s early enough that the markets aren’t too focused on the...
White House still planning billions in farmer trade aid
Three people familiar with the issue say the Trump administration still intends to roll out an initial payment of up to $12 billion for farmers struggling because of the president’s tariff policies. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said that a program similar to the...
Learning from 2025 to build a better 2026
It’s been one of those Iowa harvests that went smoothly overall, but it gave us a clear look at any shortcomings we had this year. Early planting conditions looked ideal, but as the summer wore on, humidity, storms, and disease pressures really started to challenge...
