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European weather supports wheat prices
The wheat market started the week after the Fourth of July holiday with a strong rally as traders responded to weather concerns in Europe. Although prices have since given back some of those gains, uncertainty surrounding overseas production continues to lend support to the market. While wheat is not a major crop in Iowa, changes in wheat prices can still influence corn markets as traders often move money across multiple grain commodities. Oklahoma State University assistant professor of crop...
Sticking with financial plans during economic volatility
It’s no secret that the economy is extremely volatile right now. Things were looking pretty grim after President Trump announced his plan for widespread tariffs, and now the markets have shot back up following his announcement today that the retaliatory tariffs will...
There’s nothing micro about the importance of micronutrients
Micronutrients play a huge role in the success of our crops, especially here in the Corn Belt. Tim Laatsch, North America director of agronomy with Koch Agronomic Services, said a deficiency in micronutrients impacts the overall health and potential yield of both corn...
Optimizing the planting season for a strong start
Planting season has already started for some of the warmer portions of the United States and it won’t be long before farmers in Iowa cross the start line and begin planting crops. Paul Sauer is a product manager for Helena Ag and covers the northern portion of Iowa....
NPPC Praises Sens. Ernst and Grassley’s efforts to avert pork industry crisis
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released the following statement after U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Food Security and Farm...
Dairy’s quiet comeback: Signs of strength and hope ahead
After enduring years of challenges marked by fluctuating prices and shifting consumer trends, the dairy industry has recently shown signs of renewed strength. Improved demand, stabilizing input costs, and a growing global appetite for dairy products have all...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-8-25)
As tariffs continue to shake up the economy, many eyes are on South America to see if the country’s crops will be able to help meet global demand. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said rain has returned to Brazil after a dry spell. McBride said there is a...
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Grassley lays out updated farm bill priorities
With the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill over the 4th of July weekend, attention now turns back once again to the farm bill. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says the farm bill improvements in the reconciliation bill contains “major victories for...
Nutrien Financial helps Iowa growers navigate tight margins
As producers work through the heart of the growing season, it’s becoming increasingly clear that tighter margins and rising input costs are putting added strain on farm finances. From fuel to fertilizer, every dollar spent must stretch a little further than it did...
Iowa soil testing facility provides a behind-the-scenes look
Farmers Edge Labs in Grimes has been testing Iowa soil samples since 2018, offering a wide variety of testing methods for producers across the major growing regions of the United States. A recent lab event offered an in-depth look at the full soil testing process,...
USDA improving national security by protecting agriculture
A new USDA plan is aimed to help improve national security by protecting agriculture. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a new USDA initiative that focuses on agriculture as a key component of protecting national security. Sam Kieffer, vice president of...
Mid July weather forecast favorable for crop development in Iowa
As the calendar approaches the midway point of July the weather forecast appears to be lining up to provide near ideal conditions for a critical segment of the growing season. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the 8-to-14 day outlook for July 15th-21st shows a...
