Top Stories
USDA forecasts farm income rise amid cost pressures
Despite falling crop prices and stubbornly high input costs, USDA’s latest farm income forecast points to stronger bottom lines in 2025. The report, released on Wednesday, projects net farm income to climb well above earlier expectations, marking a reversal after back-to-back years of decline. Much of the expected gain is tied to higher livestock receipts and additional government payments, which appear set to offset the pressure from rising production expenses and weaker returns for crop...
Extreme heat creating concerns for Iowa’s livestock and crops
The extreme heat in recent days has felt more like late July or August and is causing stress for livestock and crops in Iowa. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the more immediate concern is for livestock. High humidity and overnight temperatures in the upper 70s and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-26-25)
Export sales are looking good ahead of the Quarterly Grain Stocks report that will be released next Monday. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales were especially great in the latest data. Soybeans also looked good this week, which is a far cry...
Tar spot has already been observed in East Central Iowa
Pollination is quickly approaching for corn and soybeans, and it’s important to make sure that crops are performing at a high level in order to maximize yields down the road. Diseases can enter and impact a field very quickly, so prevention is key to disease...
Landus, Iowa’s largest farmer-owned cooperative, launches nationwide CEO search
Landus is launching a nationwide search for its next Chief Executive Officer. Since April, the Board of Directors and interim CEO Sam Caton have met with farmer-owners and employees to gather feedback. Their input has been crucial in identifying the qualities needed...
Naig reports encouraging crop conditions in much of Iowa
Before planters even rolled into Iowa fields this spring, there were early warnings that a hot and dry summer could pose serious challenges for the 2025 growing season. While summer is still in its first week, crop conditions across much of the state are holding up...
Central Iowa farmer experimenting with cover crops
As we learn more about the benefits of cover crops, we’ve seen increased adoption of them across the state. One farm in Boone is even applying those cover crops to a different product: pumpkins. Jeremy Gustafson, a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, gave a tour of...
Video
More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-10-25)
This week brought yet another great report for U.S. export sales. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are continuing to impress. Soybeans also had an impressive week and nearly set another weekly record. Rounding out the positive feeling from...
Iowa producers can now receive disaster aid
Iowa producers will soon be able to receive funds that were earmarked for 2023 and 2024 natural disasters. The USDA is opening the signup period for the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program for farmers and ranchers across the country. Danny Much, an economist for the...
Rollins shuts down southern ports again
A new case of New World screwworm appeared this week, only 160 miles from the Mexico-U.S. border. USDA had previously announced a risk-based phased-in port reopening strategy for cattle, bison, and equine from Mexico that began on July 7. The new case raises...
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...
