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South American Weather and Crop Update (7-1-25)
Not much has changed for the weather in South America, and the upcoming forecast is still looking to be dry. The dryness should be good for harvest progress, but at some point the weather will get too dry and start to cause some problems. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said safrinha harvest progress in Brazil is still behind the average, but they have such a large crop that it will take longer than usual anyways....
USDA trade nominee Lindberg cites litany of ag trade barriers
USDA Undersecretary for Trade nominee Luke Lindberg says the United States ag sector is facing too many unfair trade barriers in world trade. Lindberg told Senate Ag lawmakers at his recent confirmation hearing that the U.S. for too long has let other nations “rig”...
Nomination deadline for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award extended to May 19
Iowans seeking to nominate individuals or families who are conservation leaders in their community for the 2025 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award now have two additional weeks to complete and submit the application. The nomination deadline for the prestigious...
Fast start, sudden stop: Spring in 2025
The 2025 Spring Planting Season kicked off at full throttle, with tractors humming and seeds hitting the soil in a race against time. But just as quickly as it began, Mother Nature threw a wrench in the works, bringing rain, wind, and cool temperatures that brought...
Cercospora leaf blight poses a heightened challenge for soybean farmers
As planting season continues and the 2025 crop season gets fully underway, it’s important for farmers to be aware of the diseases that can impact their crops and limit yields. Last year, the top yield-limiting foliar disease for soybeans was Cercospora leaf blight...
National Farmers Union hosting a week of action
The National Farmers Union is hosting a Week of Action May 5th-9th, 2025. Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says that farmers are dealing with too much uncertainty and are in desperate need of a new five-year farm bill. Larew says that America’s...
U.S. ag groups react to EPA strategy
The EPA released an updated draft Insecticide Strategy, and U.S. agriculture groups and supporters reacted to the news. “EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-15-25)
The latest export sales show that both corn and soybeans are continuing to march to the beat of their own drum. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said it was another week of outstanding corn exports. The soybean sales are much less extravagant, but that’s not...
Cattle markets can’t stay bullish forever
The cattle markets have been in a bullish market for quite a while now, and we’ve almost grown used to the record-high prices. However, it’s dangerous to get too comfortable with a rally like this. USDA chief economist Seth Meyer said he’s unsure of how long this bull...
Record world and U.S. corn production expected
USDA published the May WASDE report on Monday May 12th and the first look at the new corn marketing year signals projected record production in the United States and globally. That is World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. Despite record production,...
Choose Iowa passport launches as free guide to agritourism adventures
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today launched the Choose Iowa Passport, a free, interactive digital platform designed to help Iowans and visitors find farms and farm stands, orchards, you-pick opportunities, farm-to-table dining and restaurants, farmers...
NCBA: Supportive of talks, focused on details
The agriculture sector is keeping a close eye on the evolving trade and tariff signals coming from the Trump Administration. Historically, agriculture is often the first target when other nations retaliate with tariffs, putting added pressure on farmers and rural...
