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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...
Tips for controlling tar spot and maximizing yield
Tar spot was first identified in the United States nearly 10 years ago. Unfortunately, growers in the corn belt are much more familiar with this yield robber in 2023 after several growing seasons of dealing with yield loss from tar spot pressure.Unfortunately, the...
House farm bill will address California’s Prop 12
The House Ag Committee Chair says he plans to use the upcoming farm bill to deal with California’s Prop 12 that was upheld by the Supreme Court. Roll Call says pork producers across the country have said this will lead to patchwork laws between states that will...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-3-23)
This week’s export sales were neutral, but that’s definitely not from a lack of sales action, especially in new crop soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week’s report.Flash sales have also been popping up here and there,...
Reigning Iowa State Fair Queen preparing to hand off her crown
Mary Ann Fox, the 2022 Iowa State Fair Queen, has been representing the Iowa agriculture industry well over the past year. Now, she’s preparing to hand off her royal duties to a new Iowa State Fair Queen in a little over a week. Fox reminisced on her favorite part of...
EATS Act is seeing pushback. Where do we go from here? (Part 1)
We have talked at length with Iowa lawmakers supporting the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act brought forward by Congresswoman Ashley Hinson in the House and in the Senate by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas. According to what we have been told, it is...
Agoro Carbon introduces new legume cover crop practice
Agoro Carbon has added legumes into a cover crop mix, which expands their carbon market offerings to farmers. Clay Craighton, Agoro Carbon strategic accounts manager, said the addition will allow legacy farmers- who are already utilizing cover crop strategies- to join...
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Promotions showcase U.S. pork loin to consumers in Mexico
With one month of data still to be reported, U.S. pork exports to Mexico have already set an annual record for 2023. January-November exports to Mexico totaled more than 995,000 metric tons, up 13% year-over-year, while value was 15% higher at $2.12 billion. While...
Top ag legal issues to monitor in 2024
2023 was a year of significant developments and changes on the legal front of agriculture. Harrison Pittman, director of the Ag Law Center, says 2024 could be more of the same with issues such as the endangered species act taking center stage. The Waters of the U.S....
Farmland market is “resilient”
The Farmers National Company says the farmland market seems to be moving into the new year maintaining the value increases it’s built during the last three years. That stability is in place despite increasing pressure from declining commodity markets, rising interest...
Governor Reynolds sees a bright future in biofuels for Iowa
Last Thursday, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association held its annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona. There was a great turnout to hear the latest in the policy, technology, and progress of biofuels. One of the highlight addresses was from Iowa Governor Kim...
Lack of cuts in January WASDE disappoints grain markets
With the cuts the USDA made in last month’s WASDE, analysts were expecting a few more in the January report. However, the grain markets were very disappointed when the report came out and showed very few changes. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride broke down the...
