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Northern heat wave shouldn’t last long enough to negatively affect crops
A stretch of the Northern U.S. is the path of a ridge of high pressure producing high temperatures hovering around 100 degrees through the week. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the northern portions of the great plains are still experiencing high temperatures that began last week. Despite the extremely hot weather in the northern great plains, the rest of the Midwest including Iowa is experiencing more normal temperatures for this time of year. Rippey says that even in the areas with the...
Farmland prices began to soften in 2024
2024 was the cooling period for farmland prices after several years of quickly rising farmland values. Randy Dickhut, farmland sales expert with Agricultural Economic Insights, says fluctuating farmland prices are a typical pattern over a multi-year period. According...
Iowa cash rents drop in 2025
The 2025 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9 percent in 2025 to $271 per acre. It’s the first decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre during the previous two years of the survey....
Congress yet to deliver on E15 promise
E15 fuel will be available again this summer thanks to another temporary waiver from the Trump Administration. While Iowa is one of eight Midwestern states already allowing year-round E15 sales, this fix remains only partial. Iowa lawmakers are still in the fight,...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-27-25)
Farmers in Argentina are hoping to see some more dry weather so they can make up some harvest progress and catch up to the average pace. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the forecast looks like it will line up with those hopes. McBride said the farmers in...
Labor costs may keep rising this year
Labor challenges are among some of the most difficult issues facing farmers and ranchers, especially for those who utilize the H-2A program. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, explained how the program works....
Grassley discusses the “One Big Beautiful Bill” as it moves to Senate
As the Trump tax bill now moves to the Senate for consideration, the ag world will be watching to see what revisions are made to the farm bill improvements included in the House version of the bill. House Ag Chair GT Thompson last week touted the Trump tax cuts, death...
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Keeping pigs cool during hot summer months
During the hot Iowa summer months, it is highly important for swine producers to protect their pigs from heat stress in order to maintain their health and productivity. Mark Oberreuter, ag engineer at Automated Production, said pigs are just as susceptible to heat...
Secure Pork Supply Plan can help Iowa pig farmers
The Secure Pork Supply Plan, or SPS, helps producers proactively plan for enhanced biosecurity, animal traceability, and disease monitoring for both foreign animal disease outbreaks endemic diseases. Meredith Peterson, director of swine health for the National Pork...
Northwest Iowa crops standing strong against wind damage and disease pressure
At this point of the growing season in Iowa, the crops look outstanding and early reports from the field are calling for bin busting yields. However, there are still concerns about the threats to crops that can rob yield on the way to the finish line. Northwest Iowa...
USDA issues August livestock report
Based on the mid-year cattle report, a further tightening is expected of calves available for placement in late 2025 and early 2026. The report also suggests steady but gradual changes to inventories of beef cows and replacement heifers. That means the 2025 and 2026...
Iowa corn yields strong, but profits under strain
While Iowa Corn Day at the State Fair gave growers a chance to celebrate ethanol’s impact and future potential, Iowa Corn Growers Association President Stu Swanson also reminded fairgoers that not everything in agriculture is cause for celebration. Beyond the push for...
