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How El Niño will impact agriculture
The weather pattern shifting to El Niño this year has been a topic of conversation in weather forecasts for some time. Chad Merrill, senior meteorologist at AccuWeather, says the El Niño weather pattern arrived earlier this month. Merrill says the forecast for July is calling for dry conditions, even in areas that have already received a lot of moisture this spring and in the early summer. In addition to the dryness, many rural areas of the country will also expect to experience increased...
Farmers could benefit from biofuels under Trump, industry says
The biofuels industry is closely watching as the White House administration, the EPA, and other agencies start to roll out policies for President Trump’s second term. The Renewable Fuels Association’s Troy Bredenkamp says the ethanol industry is hopeful that the...
Principals modernize Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Iowa State University (ISU) introduced updates to Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy (INRS) today. The three Principals modernized the INRS – the state’s soil...
USDA could come under administration’s new budget focus
The Trump administration has hit the ground running, wasting no time in issuing executive orders and launching aggressive budget investigations across federal agencies. With spending cuts a key priority, no department is off-limits as officials scrutinize budgets and...
Reaching pork consumers through their preferred media
Pork producers have made their voices heard and the National Pork Board is embracing their call to help drive the demand for pork. This spring the NPB will be unveiling a new pork marketing campaign that has been crafted through research and data aimed at...
Iowa schools help promote pollinators
Sand County Foundation is awarding pollinator seed starter kits to 10 Iowa schools. The seed starter kits give K-12 students hands-on experience growing and planting milkweed and other pollinator-friendly wildflowers. Insect pollinators and monarch butterflies are...
Stine Seed focusing on working closer with growers
No matter what seed you select, a crop will only reach its maximum potential yield with the proper management practices. But with how much data goes into those decisions, that’s easier said than done. Stine Seed President Myron Stine said they are focusing more on...
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Dairy & soybean producer talks about the value of Soy Checkoff
The United Soybean Board, through the soybean checkoff, continues to invest in innovative ways to add value to U.S. soybeans. One area that shows strong potential is incorporating High-Oleic soybeans into livestock feeds, something we've highlighted in the past. Now,...
Warm and dry weather allowed for wide-open planting window
Iowa farmers have been treated to a mostly wide-open window for planting season this year, with warm and dry weather allowing for great working conditions. With most of the crops in the ground, we’re now hoping for some rain- and it looks like those prayers will be...
Trends in first meat export forecast for 2026
USDA has published its initial projections for the 2026 calendar year meat export forecast. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says the beef export forecast is down, due to tightening beef supplies. On the other hand, pork and broiler export...
Demand for U.S. pork continues to grow in Mexico
Following a record year of $2.6 billion of pork exports to Mexico in 2024, demand for U.S. pork has continued to expand in Mexico in 2025, growing 11% in the first quarter. According to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Mexico Director Gerardo Rodriguez, pork...
Produce industry calls for fair farm policy
When Iowans think about trade and ag policy, especially in the context of the Farm Bill, the focus often falls on corn, soybeans, beef, and pork. But there’s a broader picture to consider. Specialty crops—including fruits, vegetables, and other unique products—also...
