Top Stories
Trade developments are encouraging, but more progress is needed with China
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that while Southeast Asia holds excellent growth potential for U.S. red meat, exporters face significant tariff and non-tariff barriers in the region. President Trump also met last Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While...
IDALS urges Iowans to be on the lookout for spotted lanternflies
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is asking Iowans to be on the lookout for spotted lanternfly (SLF) insects. The colorful but invasive and destructive insect is native to Asia and was unintentionally introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014....
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (10-24-25)
With the government shutdown still dragging on, the grain markets are searching for any news to trade on. While there is no official news on exports, we can still look at the estimates to get a rough idea of what the weekly sales might look like. Allendale commodity...
Smart Swaps keeps dairy strong in school meals
School meal programs have been through a lot of change in recent years. From the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act under the Obama Administration to multiple revisions and rollbacks that followed, school nutrition teams have had to constantly adjust to new federal...
ICA responds to President Trump’s comments on the cattle industry
Yesterday, President Trump made a post to his Truth Social account regarding U.S. cattle producers and his plan to increase beef imports from Argentina in an effort to lower beef prices for consumers. The post is causing what the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA)...
FSA offices resume limited service during shutdown
Farm Service Agency offices are reopening on a limited basis despite the government shutdown. The USDA made this move despite the ongoing stalemate in funding the federal government. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation,...
Grassley urges shift from temporary waivers to permanent E15 legislation
Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa is continuing to seek President Trump’s support of Grassley’s bipartisan year-round E15 legislation. Grassley says that at a time when farmers are set to receive aid because of the trade war and low prices for commodities, year-round E15...
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More Ag News
October is National Manufacturing Month
October is National Manufacturing Month, and manufacturers are incredibly important for the ag industry. Manufacturing is also a big part of Iowa’s economy, with over 220,000 Iowans employed in the manufacturing industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said...
Digging into the relationship between crop yields and soil fertility
At the end of harvest season, growers do not have much time to take a break and enjoy the hard work of the growing season. It’s also the time when farmers begin to start building a plan for next year. A big portion of crop yield is tied directly to soil fertility...
Former ISU professor to receive prestigious USMEF award
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced the 2025 recipients of its two most prestigious awards, who will be honored Nov. 13 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis. National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) CEO Ted...
Secretary Naig, Governor Reynolds encourage farmers to plant fall cover crops
Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Governor Kim Reynolds are encouraging Iowa farmers to plant cover crops this fall to improve water quality and save money on next year’s crop insurance premiums. The savings are offered through the Iowa Department of Agriculture...
Experts doubt Argentina beef plan will have significant benefit
The Trump administration is proposing to increase beef imports from Argentina as a way to balance supplies and bring relief to consumers facing high prices. However, many in the livestock industry say the move would do little to address the core issues driving the...
