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Trade talks boost grain markets ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s preliminary negotiations with Chinese trade officials, the grain markets have rallied significantly ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. Commodity broker Joe Camp of Commstock Investments says that the rally has been driven by optimism of a U.S.-China ag trade deal. Camp says that while preliminary negotiations did include ag trade, including soybeans, the framework of the deal remains unknown. Soybeans have...
One thousand pounds of pig
The Big Boar contest at the Iowa State Fair is annually one of the biggest draws at the swine barn and this year was no exception. Despite a small field of contestants, a big crowd was on hand Monday for the show to see which boar tipped the scales at the heaviest...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-10-23)
Ahead of tomorrow’s WASDE report, this week’s export sales didn’t bring too much excitement. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of the latest U.S. Export Sales Report.While we will obviously learn more about the USDA’s shipment goals...
New FFA chapter at Center Point-Urbana schools
It's been about a three-year effort on the part of certain community members to bring FFA to Center Point-Urbana schools in east central Iowa. Rob Libolt is the high school principal there, and he says he's excited for the leadership opportunities the program will...
Drought covers 100% of Iowa
A few consecutive dry weeks are giving crops in Iowa varying degrees of drought stress. An Iowa State University Extension expert says there hasn’t been much measurable rainfall for as many as three weeks in many areas. Prior to that dry spell, Iowa had been getting...
There is plenty of funding to close the rural broadband gap
We have spent so many years talking about getting rural broadband up to speed with the rest of urban America. A lot of funding has been coming in to help close that gap. Now, it is just a matter of getting it all done. So, if you feel that you still need to get better...
ADM expanding regenerative ag program in Iowa
ADM is expanding its thriving re:generations program- now in its second year- to allow more farmers to increase their profits and their positive impact on the environment and soil health. With the support of a USDA Climate Smart grant, re:generations is providing 18...
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More Ag News
CCC farm bill remedy has some support even from critics
United States Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack recently suggested use of Commodity Credit Corporation Funds as a remedy for the lack of farm bill funding to increase crop subsidy triggers or reference prices. That idea may have some support even among its critics. Vilsack...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-19-24)
There’s been a lot of negativity in the marketplace following last week’s WASDE report, but we were able to end this week with some more friendly news from the export sales. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown on this week’s numbers. This week’s...
Deadline approaching for crop insurance discount program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today reminded farmers and landowners who planted cover crops this past fall to apply for the state’s Crop Insurance Discount Program ahead of the Friday, January 26 deadline. Eligible Iowans can receive a $5 per acre discount...
Soybean numbers appear to weaken in South America
As we go through the winter, it is obvious that the markets are watching what happens in Brazil. They are passing our numbers for exports and are in the midst of their growing season. However, they are also getting much attention because the conditions in the south...
Great Plains Manufacturing talks partnership with Bayer ForGround
The newest sustainability practices can be confusing or intimidating to some farmers, so it’s important for companies to make the technology easy to use and to understand. James Shurts, president of the ag division at Great Plains Manufacturing, said they’ve been at...
