Top Stories
Strong protein demand meets ongoing producer challenges
Growing consumer interest in protein-rich diets is helping drive optimism across the livestock industry, even as producers continue to manage risk and long-term investment decisions. Marshall Hansen, Senior Vice President of Corporate Proteins with Farm Credit Services of America, says understanding the needs of individual sectors is central to how lenders work alongside producers. Hansen says that specialized focus comes from teams dedicated to specific segments of the livestock industry,...
NPPC President-elect preparing to lead organization next year
The World Pork Expo, held every year at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, is an excellent opportunity for pork industry leaders to gather and discuss the top issues they are facing. National Pork Producers Council President-Elect Rob Brenneman is...
Farmers expressing more concerns about Trump’s tariffs
Farmers and other businesspeople are watching the Trump administration's trade strategy very carefully as tariffs, which could directly affect their bottom line, go up and down and back again. Brian Kuehl is Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade and is holding...
Trade mission to Peru is underway
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely arrived in Lima, Peru, this week to begin an agribusiness trade mission to expand market access. The goal is to boost U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru....
Brazil’s corn crop surges, exports dip
Brazil continues to pose strong competition in global agricultural trade, and 2025 will be no different. With favorable weather and solid market positioning, the conditions are aligning for another strong year for Brazilian crop production and exports. This growing...
Rural America helping to power AI innovation
Rural America is becoming the home of more data centers to power artificial intelligence. Jeff Johnston, Lead Economist for Infrastructure with CoBank, says the rural areas of the United States are helping to lead the charge forward for AI technology. Johnston says...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-10-25)
Much of the forecast for Brazil and Argentina has remained the same week-over-week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an explanation of the latest weather patterns in South America. Safrinha harvest progress in Brazil is behind the yearly average, but...
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Heat dome ridge led to derecho in Upper Midwest
The Midwest heat dome is finally broken, and temperatures are now much more pleasant. The heat dome didn’t leave quietly, though, as it caused a derecho to form and tear across much of the Upper Midwest. Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said a “ring of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-31-25)
This week’s export sales were back to the great pace that we saw for a while. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said new crop corn sales set a record for this week. On the other hand, McBride said the new crop soybean sales are concerning. McBride said some...
Grassley addresses the chances of a farm bill in 2025
After Congress included farm bill improvements in the reconciliation bill, talk in Washington D.C. shifted to crafting a “skinny farm bill” before the end of 2025. The scaled down version of the traditional farm bill would address the remaining ag programs that were...
Ag groups support new trade deals
A series of new trade deals between the United States and countries around the world will directly benefit America’s farmers and ranchers. Groups like the American Farm Bureau support the agreements, noting that strong and enduring agreements help connect U.S. farmers...
Iowa farmers facing tough fungicide calls
Wetter conditions and warmer temperatures have set the stage for a more active disease season in Iowa corn fields. Tar spot and northern corn leaf blight have already made their presence known in several areas, and concern is growing as the crop nears critical...
