Top Stories
USDA sets April loan rates as farmers weigh borrowing costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced updated loan interest rates for April, offering a key benchmark for producers making financing decisions ahead of the planting season. Operating loans are set at 4.75%, while farm ownership loans will carry a 5.75% interest rate. The rates reflect broader trends in credit markets as borrowing costs remain elevated compared with recent years. Farmers often rely on USDA-backed loans to cover expenses such as seed, equipment and land purchases....
Midwest farmers planting more corn and wheat
Midwestern farmers are planning to plant more corn and wheat this spring. An Ag Access survey says farmers will add 27 percent more acres to corn and 32 percent more to wheat. A smaller percentage, at 17 percent, says they?ll increase their soybean acres. The survey...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-23-23)
We saw a decent export sales report this week. Corn is now performing quite well, and, while soybeans are bearish, they are following what we usually see at this time of year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week?s U.S. Export...
The working relationship between NASA and agriculture
Commodity Classic is an annual ag showcase that presents the latest and greatest in farming practices and ag technology. So why was NASA located on the trade show floor at this year?s event in Orlando Florida? Brad Doorn a program manager with NASA?s earth science...
Sec Naig discusses recent & upcoming trade trips
We have often discussed the importance of getting our products and our people out in front of potential and existing trade partners. The pandemic changed how we did business for a little while, but now that things have eased, face-to-face meetings are important once...
AFBF celebrates farmers giving back to communities
Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 25.3 million pounds of food and raised more than $1 million to help fight hunger in 2022 through the American Farm Bureau Federation?s (AFBF) Harvest for All program. AFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Chair Matt...
Secretary Naig presents ag leader awards
DES MOINES, Iowa ? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig this week recognized organizations and individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the state?s agriculture community. Naig presented Ag Leader Awards to Agriculture in the Classroom, Central Iowa...
Video
More Ag News
Current conditions of the pork industry
Partners for Production Agriculture’s Economist Dr. Steve Meyer says pig farmers have been dealing with losses worse than 1998. Of those three things listed by Dr. Meyer; pork producers are only responsible for supplying the pigs. Meyer says wholesale demand has...
Secretary Naig announces expansion of NE Iowa water quality project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that an effective Water Quality Initiative (WQI) project in Grundy, Black Hawk, Tama and Marshall Counties is expanding its territory while also adding a new phase that focuses on edge-of-field conservation...
Now’s the time for soybean soil sampling
Farmers are beginning the analysis of the 2023 crop yield before harvest wraps up. Troy Bauer of BASF says making notes is important as it relates to solving crop issues. One of the eye-popping stats so far on some of the early data is that soybean fields that had...
Ernst disheartened over Farm Bill situation
We have heard different opinions from different lawmakers over the probability of a Farm Bill still being done this year. As I talked with Senator Joni Ernst yesterday, she was all but certain that there is no way it gets done. The Farm Bill has traditionally been one...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-31-23)
After a good amount of dry heat, rain is now highlighting the upcoming forecast in South America. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the current weather patterns. In the longer-term forecasts, McBride said there’s even more rain coming through...
