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AG trade deficit drops 42 percent
New numbers from USDA show progress in reducing the U.S. agricultural trade deficit, but officials say there is still more work ahead to return to a long-standing trade surplus. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says when the administration took office, the U.S. was facing a significant ag trade deficit after years of declining market access opportunities. Lindberg says while the U.S. is not back to a trade surplus yet, the improvement shows there is...
Breaking down the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports
The USDA released both the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports on March 31st. Heading into the day, the markets were anticipating big news from the planting acres, but it seems that there was more to react to in the grain stocks report. Allendale...
Trump administration steps up as Congress fails to pass year-round E15
After Congress failed to act on key biofuels policy- namely year-round E15- the Trump administration is reportedly stepping up to the plate to get something more permanent done. Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper said recent announcements have...
What is the next step for year-round E15 legislation?
Last week the EPA issued a waiver to allow for summertime E15 sales across the country in 2026. However, permanent legislation for E15 sales year-round is still a priority for many Midwest politicians hoping to provide certainty for farmers and retailers. United...
Secretary Naig presents 2026 Ag Leader Awards for outstanding contributions to Iowa agriculture
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recognized one individual and two organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the continued success, resilience, and growth of Iowa agriculture during the 14th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on March 30 in...
Nitrogen ROI matters more in 2026
With tighter crop margins forcing farmers to scrutinize every input dollar this season, nitrogen management remains one of the biggest opportunities to protect return on investment. Ron Calhoun with Nutrien says the focus is not simply cutting nitrogen, but improving...
Taking the guesswork out of fungicide applications
Figuring out when to apply fungicide can be a difficult task. There are certain things farmers can look for, but, overall, it remains mostly as an educated guess. Pioneer has a new tool that will help eliminate that guesswork and maximize yield potential. Trent Brisby...
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U.S. Export Sales Report (4-2-26)
The Quarterly Grain Stocks report showed that demand for soybeans is not where it should be. The weekly export sales stayed in line with that data. Jason Meyer of AgMarket.Net gave a breakdown of the report and said that U.S. bean prices aren’t able to compete with...
Diesel prices hit record highs
Oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride ever since the United States and Israel started bombing Iran. Initially, oil prices moved higher, but last week, oil prices dipped after President Trump paused attacks on Iran. But since those have resumed, oil prices have...
USTR’s Callahan previews 2026 ag trade priorities
US Ag trade negotiator Julie Callahan previewed the administration’s ag trade goals for this year at a recent Agri-Pulse forum. Callahan says the “bumper sticker” version of USTR’s recent Ag policy report is “full speed ahead” on the administration’s “America First...
Farm bill draft reignites debate over pesticide regulation
The newly introduced farm bill proposal is drawing sharp reactions from environmental advocates over provisions that could reshape pesticide regulation nationwide. The legislation, backed by leaders in Congress and informed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency...
Midwest Dairy report shows demand growth
Midwest Dairy’s newly released 2025 Annual Report gives farmers a detailed look at how their checkoff dollars were invested across the ten-state region, with a focus on growing dairy demand, strengthening consumer trust, and supporting future industry leadership....
