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Big Bad Joe shatters previous record to win 2026 ISF Big Ram Competition
"Big Bad Joe," the Suffolk ram shown by Jim Fisher of Mercer, MO, is the 2026 Iowa State Fair Big Ram Competition winner weighing in at 568 pounds. Big Bad Joe shattered the previous Iowa State Fair record of 507.5 pounds which was set in 2014. Owner Jim Fisher says that Big Bad Joe has gained size quickly in the last two years. Fisher says that Joe lost weight on the trip to the Iowa State Fair due to heat and stress but he still managed to smash the Iowa State Fair record, and he could be in...
Phil’s forecast and possible ag implications
For those of us in the Midwest and eastern states, Punxsutawney Phil’s Groundhog Day forecast comes as no surprise with the famous groundhog calling for six more weeks of winter. That is USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey who says that Phil’s forecast lines up with the...
Farmers aggressively sold soybeans in 2025
U.S. farmers were aggressive sellers of soybeans last fall as prices climbed after trade tensions eased between the U.S. and China. With higher prices and a swifter pace of sales, commercial ownership of soybeans rose sharply while use of delayed pricing programs and...
USDA cattle numbers show ongoing herd decline
The USDA released its latest Cattle Inventory Report last Friday, just ahead of this week’s National Cattlemen’s Beef Association convention in Nashville. While the overall change in cattle numbers was modest, the data continues to reinforce a long running trend of...
NE Iowa farmer saw impressive soybean yields in 2025
Last year’s crop season was full of curveballs, but farmers were still able to grow some very successful crops. In fact, several Iowa farmers were winners of the 2025 Asgrow Brand National Yield Contest. The annual competition is open to any farmers in the U.S. who...
Dairy producers see unexpected spike in market prices
A recent jump in the dairy markets was good news for dairy producers. Mike North, the president of the producer division with Ever.Ag, appeared at the Wisconsin Corn/Soy Expo and said the spike in prices was driven by weather. North said in this era of price...
Data tells the sustainability story
Hog producers strive to raise pigs in a way that produces healthier pigs, healthier people, and a healthier planet every day. However, if producers cannot demonstrate results through data and measurable metrics it is hard to pass that message on to the supply chain,...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-12-26)
Once again, the export sales for corn and soybeans tell two different stories. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales had yet another strong week. Soybeans, on the other hand, have seen disappointing sales in four of the last five weeks. However,...
45z tax credit is almost across the finish line
The public comment period on the 45z tax credit proposal is ending on April 5th. Since this legislation has been in the works for so long, it’s incredibly important for producers to speak up on what they want to see in it. Mitchell Hora, founder of Continuum Ag, said...
Helping growers track sustainability and make improvements
In 2026 there are a lot of aspects of conservation and sustainability that a farmer needs to keep track of. Steven Wall is the development manager of sustainability at Syngenta and he tells the Iowa Ag Radio Network about a tool that can help growers measure,...
Lawmakers eyeing war funding package for more farm aid
President Donald Trump will seek a funding package for the war unfolding in Iran, and Republican lawmakers are debating whether to attach wildfire aid and $15 billion in tariff relief for farmers to the package. Four sources told E&E News that senior GOP...
Early weed control key for Iowa Crop yields
As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, tight margins and lower commodity prices are forcing growers to carefully evaluate every input decision. Weed control remains one of the most important investments early in the season, particularly during the first...
