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Corn and soybean harvests nearly complete
As of November 10, 95% of the 2024 corn crop in the top 18 corn-growing states was harvested. This was up from 91% a week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 84%. USDA said 96% of the soybean crop in the top 18 growing states was in the bins. This was up from 94% the week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 91%. Planting is also making progress with winter wheat across the top 18 states at 91% planted as of Nov. 10. This was up from 87% the week prior but behind the five-year...
Farm Credit System income up seven percent to $5.91 billion
The Farm Credit System reported that combined net income was relatively stable at $1.98 billion for the third quarter of 2024, as compared with $2 billion for the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ending on September 20, 2024, FCS’s combined net income...
Northern Iowa agronomist reviews 24 and previews 25
As harvest wraps up, we are taking stock of what we learned from this year. We are also having to make plans for 2025. With tighter profit margins, farmers have some very tough choices. Dekalb/Asgrow agronomist Rich Judge joins us in this featured conversation.
World Food Prize laureates receive their honor
World Food Prize week in Iowa culminated last Thursday with the award of what is considered the "Nobel Prize of Agriculture.” The laureate awards were awarded to two advocates of plant genetic diversity and global seed banks. World Food Prize Foundation President...
Farm loans soar as ag economy deteriorates
Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017,...
Rural Mainstreet Index showing lackluster results
The economy has been in a weird place. The DOW is strong, the dollar is strong, job numbers seem better than anticipated, and consumers are still paying for what they want. However, buying power is lower because prices are higher. Look no further than your local...
TN visa program is a key part of the ag labor force
With agricultural labor challenges across the entire sector, some farmers and ranchers are turning to a unique type of visa to alleviate the burden. Samantha Ayoub, an associate economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the TN visa program is meant to...
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Is Ag in a recession? It depends on who you ask
We talked earlier in the week about the October Rural Mainstreet Index numbers being less than stellar. But what does that mean for the Ag industry? It all depends on who you ask. Most economists agree that things are slower and more sideways than in recent years, and...
End of harvest season defined by plentiful rain
Rainy weather has defined the end of harvest season across the state. Northeast Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Lee Koenigsfeld said he’s been getting very consistent rains in his area. Koenigsfeld said beans are fully harvested in his neck of the woods, while corn is nearly...
2024 National FFA Secretary is fueled by his competitive spirit
Thirty-seven candidates vied for the honor of being elected to the 2024-2025 National FFA Leadership Team during the recent National FFA Convention. Luke Jennings of Ohio was elected as the National Secretary, and he said his passion for agriculture started at a very...
Previewing the November WASDE report
The USDA will publish the November WASDE report at 11:00am central time on Friday. The report will provide updated yield estimates and any changes to supply and demand forecasts both domestically and internationally. Jim McCormick, co-founder of AgMarket.net, says...
Farmer sentiment bounces back
October provided a surprising pre-election bounce in farmer sentiment as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 115, 27 points above the September index. The biggest driver of the sentiment improvement was an increase in producers’ confidence...