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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...
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...
U.S. economy facing uncertainty as tariff reactions continue
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will levy a tariff on all American-made vehicles that are not compliant with the USMCA and that those Canadian counter-tariffs will match tariffs put on Canada’s auto industry. This Canadian measure follows...
NCBA reacts to reciprocal tariff announcement from President Trump
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House on Wednesday: “For too long, America’s...
Sec. Rollins calls on Congress to pass a Farm Bill
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says farmers and ranchers need a new five-year farm bill in 2025. It has failed now to get through Congress the last two times under the Biden administration, and it is a very, very big priority of mine, Rollins said Monday. But she says...
State Ag Directors work to address industry challenges
Farmers and the agricultural industry are facing an overwhelming amount of uncertainty, with challenges coming from every direction. From unpredictable weather patterns and fluctuating market prices to labor shortages and evolving regulations, it often feels like the...
Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs on trading partners
President Trump recently announced reciprocal tariffs on a sweeping list of U.S. trading partners. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there are two sets of tariffs to keep in mind. Salmonsen said tariffs...
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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...
Drought coverage for crops and commodities mostly in decline
The month of June provided favorable weather conditions for crop growth for much of the Midwest including Iowa. Consistent, timely rainfall for most of Iowa with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures has set Iowa up well for the heart of the growing season. USDA...
American Butter Institute urges FDA to take action against a new “dairy-free butter” product
A new product from Country Crock labeled as “dairy-free butter” has sparked growing concern within the dairy industry. Under the current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), butter is defined as a product made “exclusively from milk or cream, or both.” This means that...
Alongside President Trump in Iowa, Secretary Rollins calls for celebration of America 250
President Donald J. Trump held a massive celebration on the eve of Independence Day at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where he launched the year-long Great American State Fair in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The Great American State Fair will travel across the...
China trade impasse drags down May U.S. red meat exports
Global trade is continuing to impact cattle and hog prices in Iowa and across the entire country. Exports of U.S. pork and beef trended lower in May, due primarily to steep declines in shipments to China, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S....
