Top Stories
Fertilizer prices climbing higher once again
Fertilizer prices appear to be on the rise again. While they have not hit the record high they reached in 2022, Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said some products, like phosphates, are climbing higher. Parum said there are two main factors driving up the cost of fertilizer for farmers and ranchers. Parum said the best way to prepare for increased input costs is to keep an eye on the market and be ready to pivot with changing conditions. For more information,...
USDA issues August livestock report
Based on the mid-year cattle report, a further tightening is expected of calves available for placement in late 2025 and early 2026. The report also suggests steady but gradual changes to inventories of beef cows and replacement heifers. That means the 2025 and 2026...
Iowa corn yields strong, but profits under strain
While Iowa Corn Day at the State Fair gave growers a chance to celebrate ethanol’s impact and future potential, Iowa Corn Growers Association President Stu Swanson also reminded fairgoers that not everything in agriculture is cause for celebration. Beyond the push for...
Food Bank of Iowa benefits from Iowa State Fair
One of the most iconic parts of the Iowa State Fair is the food, and there’s always plenty of it. There are also many food competitions that take place in the Elwell building on the west side of the fairgrounds, which do a great job of connecting fairgoers with the...
Draft MAHA Report shows no pesticide restrictions
A draft of the upcoming MAHA report seen by the New York Times will not propose direct restrictions on ultra-processed foods and pesticides that HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., called “major threats.” If it is adopted, the report on the health of America’s...
Grassley hopeful for year-round E15 legislation in 2025
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that he is hopeful that Congress can pass legislation for year-round E15 sales nationwide in 2025. Grassley adds that if his bill for year-round E15 sales passes, it is likely to happen at the end of the calendar this...
U.S. meat exporters connect with Latin American buyers
Buyers from across Central and South America as well as the Caribbean met face-to-face with U.S. red meat exporters at the 13th Latin American Product Showcase, which is hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Held July 30-31 in Guatemala City, the event...
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More Ag News
Farmers feeling the fertilizer price squeeze
Farm groups are warning the White House that the tariff war is making already high fertilizer prices worse. That’s making it harder for farmers to afford to plant their typical amounts of corn, soybeans, and wheat. Politico said ag industry representatives have...
FBN seed platform offers leading traits and genetics to Iowa’s farmers
Farmers Business Network has relaunched its seed platform to provide industry leading traits and genetics to Iowa’s growers. FBN co-founder Charles Baron says Iowa farmers have a full selection of seed types available in one place on the FBN platform. Baron says that...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour finds another strong crop
For the second consecutive year, scouts on the Pro Farmer Crop Tour have found a record corn yield. The final report, released Friday on profarmer.com, projects a national average corn yield of 182.7 bushels per acre, which is about a 0.5% increase over last year’s...
Iowa Biodiesel Board urges EPA to reallocate RFS gallons lost to small refinery exemptions
Today, the Iowa Biodiesel Board joined other trade associations in evaluating EPA’s granting of full or partial exemptions from compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standards from 2016-2024 to 38 oil refineries. Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel...
Heat and moisture create ideal conditions for disease pressure
As indicated by the results of the Pro Farmer Crop Tour, the crops in Iowa are looking good as we head into the end of the growing season. However, that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t some issues to look out for. Travis Ralfs, Eastern Iowa territory account...
