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Iowa producers welcome meat export recovery
Although U.S. beef exports were slightly lower in volume in June, export value was higher than a year ago. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said U.S. beef exports are benefiting from strong demand in countries like Taiwan and parts of Latin America. Growing demand for less-used cuts is helping expand beyond the Chinese market and diversify U.S. beef. Halstrom said pork exports to Mexico have been low due to pseudorabies-related restrictions introduced in May. With these restrictions...
CoBank: Forces shaping the 2026 rural economy
A new CoBank Report on the forces shaping the economy in 2026 says ample grain supplies will likely continue burdening the markets in 2026. Global grain and oilseed markets are still oversupplied, but increased biofuels production and improving export conditions are...
Early beans, late rust, and a year full of surprises
You could not plan for the 2025 growing season. Farmers across Iowa saw everything from once-in-a-decade disease pressure to long stretches of uncooperative weather, along with a planting window that turned upside down more than once. Brad Gibson of Channel Seeds...
Farmers still struggling to find enough farm labor
Finding enough labor to get the work done on the farm and navigating the regulations for the workforce have become increasingly troublesome in recent years. Mike Stranz, Vice President of Advocacy for the National Farmers Union, said reform is more important now than...
Iowa Farm Bureau members gather for 107th annual meeting
Iowa Farm Bureau members gathered in Des Moines to connect, learn, and celebrate Iowa agriculture. It’s been an eventful year for the Iowa ag industry, which made for plenty of insightful discussions. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said profitability was one...
Trump discusses year-round E15, addresses farm input costs
President Trump this week discussed the importance of year-round E15 for America’s farmers and the potential for more domestic production of fertilizer. During the President’s farm aid announcement at the White House, the topic of year-round E15 was brought up....
How will food prices affect holiday meals in 2025?
The holidays bring large increases in food spending for both food at home and food away from home. Consumers’ decisions during this season can have important implications for farmers and ranchers. Farmdoc, at the University of Illinois, said persistent inflation has...
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More Ag News
U.S. Cattle Inventory Report preview
USDA is set to publish the U.S. Cattle Inventory Report on Friday. The report will update the numbers of the size of the U.S. beef cattle herd. Dr. Derrell Peel, a livestock market economist for Oklahoma State University, says the numbers could show that the industry...
U.S. dairy experiencing changing industry dynamics
As farmers and ranchers work to adapt to changing economic conditions across the farm economy, one sector in particular is undergoing significant shifts. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said that U.S. dairy production is reaching...
Clean Fuels wants 45Z rules finalized
Clean Fuels Alliance America sent a letter to President Donald Trump highlighting the biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel industry’s contribution to U.S. energy security and rural prosperity. The President is embarking on visits across the...
President Trump vows to support year-round E15 sales
Yesterday, President Donald Trump visited the Horizon Events Center in Clive, Iowa, with the message of “Lower Prices, Bigger Paychecks.” During his speech, President Trump celebrated the accomplishments of his first year in office again, highlighting the work he has...
Early legislative debates touch core issues for Iowa farmers
Just a few weeks into the Iowa legislative session, agriculture is already firmly on the agenda. While lawmakers are still early in the process, several issues important to farmers and rural communities are already drawing attention at the Capitol. Earlier this month,...
