Top Stories
China agrees to $17 billion in ag purchases
China has agreed to purchase at least $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028. That’s according to a White House fact sheet released Sunday following President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. The agreement came after meetings between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and represents one of the few concrete outcomes from the summit Trump previously described as a “monumental event.” The White House said the new commitments are in addition to an earlier agreement...
Iowa farmers voice concerns to Ernst & cabinet officials
The Iowa State Fair is a place of celebration, tradition, and community pride, but this year’s festivities are unfolding against a backdrop of economic strain. For many farmers walking the fairgrounds, the joy of reconnecting with friends and showcasing agriculture is...
Bacon Buddies- a heartwarming Iowa State Fair tradition
In what is now a heartwarming annual tradition, this year’s Bacon Buddies show saw great success again on August 9th. This year’s judges were Jared and Sherri Baker, who took over judging duties from Matt and Heidi Rohrig. Although instead of “judging,” the judges...
Corn and soybeans had opposite reactions to August WASDE
Most analysts were predicting a modest WASDE report today, but several surprises caused opposite reactions in the corn and soybean markets. The biggest surprise was in the corn, where the USDA increased its corn yield estimate to 188.8 bushels per acre. Allendale...
Industry competitors working together to improve Iowa’s water quality
Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) marked its 25th anniversary of commitment to improving water quality in Iowa and productivity for Iowa’s farmers in 2024. Eric Scherder of Corteva agriscience says that Corteva has been a member of the ACWA since 2013....
IDALS to host Iowa State Fair ceremonies
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will host three award ceremonies this week celebrating and commemorating Iowa agriculture as part of the 2025 Iowa State Fair. Each of the three ceremonies is open to the media, and the public is invited to...
State Fair showcases the heart of Iowa agriculture
Yesterday, we celebrated the grit and legacy of Iowa’s Century and Heritage Farm families, but that is just one piece of the agricultural spotlight at the Iowa State Fair. Across the fairgrounds, agriculture takes center stage in ways both big and really big, from the...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-7-25)
With the current government shutdown, the markets are looking for any headlines to react to. There’s definitely a watchful eye on the crop conditions in Brazil and Argentina, but some political meetings may cause more of a shakeup. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Crop farmers still facing a rough ag economy
As the broader ag economy continues to struggle, row crop farmers face a particularly difficult time. Now, many farmers and ranchers are studying their balance sheets. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the difficult ag economy is...
Senator says time is running out for US growers, help needed now
United States Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) told the Senate that U.S. growers can’t wait much longer for help from Washington. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer says that the combination of high input costs and uncertainty in trade has brought farm finances dangerously close...
Secretary Naig announces grants to bolster access to E15, biodiesel in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 48 grants, totaling more than $1.86 million, to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These...
Scout from the combine seat as weed escapes show
The combines are running full throttle across Iowa, and while farmers are focusing on bringing in the crop, another reality is emerging along the field edges and in bare spots: weeds that slipped through this year’s control programs. Those escapes may look harmless...
