Top Stories
Food hubs: the connecting piece for local farmers and producers
When people think of agriculture, they tend to focus only on what happens on the farm, namely planting, harvesting, or raising livestock. However, farmers still need to find a way of reaching consumers, which is where food hubs come in. Market access can be challenging, especially for local producers without a dedicated supply chain system. Food hubs aim to bridge that gap by enabling producers to reach a broader clientele. Phil Jahnke Sauer, a value chain manager with Iowa Value Resource...
Can modern fungicides combat uncertain outcomes?
Attempting to predict the unpredictable with weather, disease, and even market volatility can leave farmers frustrated. However, controlling what you can control and selecting the right inputs to provide consistent return on investment can provide some peace of mind...
U.S. ethanol exports up 27 percent year-over-year
U.S. ethanol exports have crossed the one-billion-gallon threshold halfway through Marketing Year (MY) 2024/2025, a 27 percent increase from the same period in MY 2023/2024, according to new information from the USDA. The sharp rise in ethanol sales contributed to an...
USB invests in innovation to grow U.S. soy demand
With tighter profit margins and a high carryout on U.S. soybean supplies, the pressure on farmers and the industry to find new avenues for growth has never been greater. As global competition intensifies and market dynamics shift, it's critical that we invest in...
Murphy Foundation and Fareway donate springtime meals to Food Bank of Iowa
After the end of the main holiday season, many food banks see a drop in donations. But in a time when many of those food banks are in limbo due to a lack of USDA funding, donations need to keep coming in. It was great to see an annual donation continue its tradition,...
Gas prices experiencing momentary relief
Oil prices have dropped roughly $10 a barrel in the past week, which was tumultuous to say the least. Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com said a lot of this turbulence and unease is happening because of President Trump's tariffs coming in more significant than expected,...
Making a list and checking it twice before planting season
Preparing for the growing season means a lot of maintenance and check lists for growers. Some of the items on the check list are obvious, seed selection, planter maintenance and optimization, and field work. However, there are several factors that might not be top of...
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More Ag News
Markets decided to sell off in reaction to July WASDE
There were slight expectations that the USDA would adjust corn yields in this month’s WASDE report, but that did not end up happening. And while the report as a whole was still fundamentally friendly to the marketplace, the commodity prices did not like missing out on...
One Big Beautiful Bill contains both wins and losses for Iowa producers
The reconciliation bill, referred to as the One Big, Beautiful Bill, was signed into law. The reaction across the ag industry was mixed, with many farmers celebrating the tax provisions while also lamenting the cuts to SNAP benefits. Mike Stranz, Vice President of...
Iowa’s wet July fueling foliar disease concerns
The state of Iowa continues to receive persistent rainfall which is leading to near ideal conditions for fungal diseases to flourish. John Long is a retail sales agronomist with Brevant seeds and he covers the southwest and west central portions of Iowa. He says that...
Food spending increases from 2023-2024
USDA says per capita total U.S. food spending increased 3.2 percent from 2023 to 2024, slightly outpacing the 2.3 percent increase in food prices during the same period. That showed a stronger demand for food despite higher prices. However, national trends in sales...
GROWMARK launches the “FS Start to Finish” Brand Campaign
Growmark FS has introduced a new brand campaign, “Start to Finish,” aimed at highlighting the company’s commitment to being a reliable partner throughout every stage of the growing season. Whether it’s selecting the right seed, applying fertility and crop protection...
