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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...
Preparing to tackle weed pressure in 2025
Spring is the season of change, and that means new products from the companies farmers depend on year after year. Brady Spangenberg, marketing director of U.S. crop protection at BASF, said they have several products that they are excited to offer in 2025. Spangenberg...
February pork and beef exports below year-ago levels
February exports of U.S. pork were moderately lower than a year ago, despite continued success in Mexico and Central America, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). February beef exports were also below last year...
March delivered needed moisture to many corn and soybean growing areas
The month of March delivered beneficial rainfall to many United States corn and soybean growing areas in need of moisture. The rainfall has led to shrinking drought coverage in corn and bean growing regions in the latest drought monitor says USDA meteorologist Brad...
Ag groups call for swift trade resolution
U.S. agriculture groups are responding to the reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump by calling for a swift resolution to the trade conflict. “Approximately 15 percent of the U.S. corn crop is exported every year, and international markets are critical...
Pure Prairie Poultry producers still waiting as promises go unfulfilled
In late September 2024, Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc., based in Fairfax, Minnesota, filed for bankruptcy, leaving numerous poultry producers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin without essential resources to feed their broiler chickens. The company's financial collapse...
Applications open for PFI’s 2025 N Rate Risk Protection Program
Farmers who are on the fence about reducing nitrogen applications might want to consider enrolling in the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s N Rate Risk Protection Program. The program is designed to help farmers reduce their input costs while also protecting the local...
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South American Weather and Crop Update (7-8-25)
The weather is still mostly the same in South America, but there is finally some rain forecasted for some of the production areas in Argentina. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather forecasts. While Brazil’s safrinha harvest...
Reconciliation bill contains good news for ethanol and biofuels
The Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law over the weekend and critics argue that it did away with clean energy initiatives. However, Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, disagrees from the viewpoint of ethanol and biofuels. Cooper says...
Secretary Naig announces new water quality project in central Iowa’s Beaver Creek Watershed
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is partnering with the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District and other public and private partners to launch a new Water Quality...
Iowa pork producers urged to share priorities
Maintaining the health of the U.S. hog herd has always required constant vigilance against animal disease threats. In recent years, much of the attention has centered on global concerns, such as African Swine Fever, with biosecurity efforts ramping up to prevent it...
The battle against New World Screwworm continues
Recently, U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S.-Mexico border would reopen for cattle shipments in phases after ports of entry were closed to limit the spread of New World Screwworm. This will help level out the balance between biosecurity and...
