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USDA accepts 186,247 acres in Iowa through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program enrollment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 186,247 acres in Iowa into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their conservation efforts while benefiting their agricultural operations and protecting the nation’s natural resources. “The Conservation Reserve Program continues to demonstrate the strength of voluntary, producer-led conservation across the...
Modern Ag Alliance pushes late for labeling legislation
Even though the Iowa Legislature was scheduled to adjourn last week, work at the Capitol is far from over. Lawmakers remain locked in negotiations over unresolved budget issues, keeping the session alive past its intended deadline. Amid the ongoing debates, the Modern...
Is emergence the secret to higher corn yields?
In a perfect world all corn plants would emerge simultaneously within the same window. Unfortunately, farmers operate in an imperfect world and ideal, even emergence is not a given. In a year with tight margins, AgriGold Agronomist Brett Leahr says that growers can...
Mental Health Awareness Month: It’s okay to not be okay
May is Mental Health Awareness month. The stresses of farming can easily take a toll on you or your family members, especially during a busy time like planting season. In his weekly commentary provided to farm broadcasters, American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall...
Secretary Rollins: Not closing FSA offices
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee this week and defended downsizing the USDA and potential cuts to international food programs. Reuters says the secretary added that the Agriculture Department doesn’t plan to close any...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-9-25)
As the U.S. works on more global trade issues, the export sales are continuing to perform well above expectations, at least for corn. Soybeans aren’t bad, but they aren’t quite as good. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown on the latest numbers...
Farm Bill vs. Reconciliation: A risky tradeoff?
The Farm Bill has already been postponed twice, and as summer approaches, the odds of it getting passed this year are looking slim. Many of the programs within the bill are long overdue for updates—everything from crop insurance to conservation and nutrition programs....
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Agriculture watches as U.S.-Canada tensions rise
The global trade war rhetoric is heating up again, but this time, America’s closest allies are signaling they’ve had enough. Canada, long known for its diplomatic restraint, is beginning to openly express frustration with the Trump Administration’s trade tactics. As...
July 2025 brought historic rainfall to Iowa
After experiencing an already wet month in June, history would suggest that July would back off on the faucets a little bit. That was not the case this year, though, as Iowa experienced the second wettest July on record. Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for...
USMEF applauds confirmation of new USDA Undersecretary for Trade
On Saturday evening, the U.S. Senate confirmed Luke Lindberg as USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs on a vote of 77-18. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said there was strong bipartisan support in the...
USDA says farmland values up, cash rents stable
USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says that USDA’s annual snapshot of farmland value and cash rents shows a slowdown in year over year growth. He expands on land values when breaking down the numbers for cropland and pasture values. Farm real estate value by state...
Secretary Naig announces start of construction on Middle Cedar watershed project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that construction is starting on a “batch and build” water quality project in Tama and Grundy Counties. This project, led by Heartland Co-op, will include the installation of 14 saturated buffers and four...
