Top Stories
Iowa dairy farmers brace for market & labor challenges in 2026
As 2025 winds down, northwest Iowa dairy farms are taking stock of a year that brought both optimism and new pressures. Sioux County dairy producer Christina Zuiderveen says harvest conditions set a positive tone, even though the year still delivered its share of challenges. Zuiderveen says the fall harvest came together smoothly for most dairy operations in her region. Wind damage and rust reduced yields in some fields, but overall, the season moved quickly, helped by a stretch of favorable...
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act looking to advance in Senate
Following the recent House passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, attention now turns towards the Senate to take action. National Milk Producers Federation Senior Director of Government Relations and Head of Nutrition Policy Claudia Larson, said there’s...
Ag challenges require new five-year farm bill in 2024
The one-year extension of the farm bill in 2023 did leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth of legislators and ag groups that pushed hard for a new five-year farm bill. However, the one-year extension does serve a vital purpose says Mike Stranz, vice president of...
Tighter margins ahead in 2024
Despite a drop in key operating costs, Rabobank says contracted margins in 2023 will continue into the new year. Soybean farmers are likely to achieve good margins in the 2024 season, but corn farmers will feel their margins pressured by ample supply. Wheat margins...
Congressman Nunn talks new CRP bill & railroad debacle at the border
There are many juggling pins in the air for the agriculture industry in Washington, DC. Yesterday we talked about the E15 situation with EPA, we still need a Farm Bill, and farmers need the tools to do their jobs properly and shipping lanes that are open for us to...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-19-23)
Spotty rain has entered the forecast in South America. While it would possibly be enough rain for our growing season, both Argentina and Brazil need significantly more rain than that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather...
China cutting back on soybean imports
The December World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates showed that China will cut back on soybean imports. Mac Marshall, vice president of market intelligence for the United Soybean Board, said the slowdown isn’t a surprise. “Margins for hog producers have been tough...
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More Ag News
New breakthrough in the battle against corn tar spot
This week Bayer Crop Science announced a new breakthrough in the battle against tar spot. Bayer researchers have developed a method to artificially inoculate tar spot in Bayer field test plots. This will give Bayer Crop Science a leg up in better understanding tar...
Governor signs bill to increase critical renewable fuel infrastructure funds
The Iowa Biodiesel Board and the Iowa Soybean Association commended Governor Kim Reynolds and the state legislature for their decisive action in boosting funding for renewable fuels infrastructure. Reynolds signed legislation today that marks another significant step...
May WASDE still conservative with changes to crops
While the markets reacted positively, the May WASDE report wasn’t exactly bullish. In the case of corn, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the numbers just weren't bearish. McBride said things were more obviously bearish on the soybean side of the report....
With rain delays, farmers considering delayed planting and replanting
With few workable planting days due to the rain, farmers are considering what they might have to do to make sure the crop gets planted and still performs well. This could include strategies like delayed planting or even replanting. Nate Meyer, southwest Iowa field...
Ernst critical of Biden Administration’s ag trade message
Many of you who have children or are kids at heart have probably seen the original Lego Movie®. It was a neat little story about overcoming adversity and learning the value of teamwork. The movie produced a well-known song that entered the pop culture lexicon for a...
