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USDA soybean oil export outlook raises concerns about market volatility
New USDA projections for soybean oil exports are increasing concerns about price volatility in agricultural markets as demand tied to renewable fuels continues reshaping the soybean sector. Analysts with the University of said the government’s first 2026-27 soybean outlook projects stronger domestic soybean crushing and growing soybean oil exports, while overall soybean ending stocks are expected to remain tighter than many traders anticipated. The report said increased reliance on soybean oil...
FMC biologics give you year-long nematode protection
Getting off on the right foot is essential in everything that we do. This is no different in the planting season, and it certainly is true in the crop protection arena. We need to make sure that we are starting immediately because those weeds and pests are already...
ICGA taking grassroots conversations to the state’s capitol
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has been known for a long time now as a respected voice for Iowa agriculture, and that effort doesn’t stop at the local level. Recently, ICGA members gathered at the state’s capitol to visit with lawmakers and discuss what...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-2-24)
Brazil is still on the drier side, but continued rain in Argentina is elevating concerns from the excessively wet conditions. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions. The longer-term forecast also contains rain for Argentina,...
Grassley says Iowa better prepared for HPAI after previous outbreaks
On Monday a Texas dairy worker tested positive for avian flu after contracting the illness that has sickened dairy cattle across several U.S. states. The human case follows recent cow infections in Texas, Idaho, Michigan and New Mexico. The virus appears to have been...
Driving corn demand through renewable chemicals
At the Advanced Bioeconomy Conference in Washington, D.C., the National Corn Growers Association sponsored a special session on renewable chemicals and other materials. The session outlined the national incentive for biobased chemicals and renewable materials that...
HPAI crosses species barrier again. Now it’s humans.
Yesterday was an interesting day in the cattle complex and in agriculture in general. It started with us discussing the fact that we were seeing High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) or bird flu crossing the species barrier into dairy cattle. We featured a discussion...
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More Ag News
SW Iowa crops still looking great heading into harvest
There’s not much time left until harvest season will be upon us in Iowa, and the crops in the southwest part of the state are still looking great. SW Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said he’s expecting a bumper crop for both corn and soybeans this year. Meyer said...
Financial benefits of climate-smart commodities
Approximately 13,000 American farms participate in the climate-smart commodity initiative, which covers about eight million acres of land. Ag Secretary Tom talked about the appeal of the initiative and said he expects those participation numbers to continue growing....
A drop in soybean condition ratings
USDA is reporting a drop in condition ratings for soybeans and a possible frost in parts of the Upper Midwest. That is USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. There was no change to the corn condition rating this week with the number remaining at 65% good to excellent....
Koch completes $3.6 billion purchase of Iowa Fertilizer Co.
Koch Ag & Energy Solutions successfully purchased OCI Global’s fertilizer plant in Wever, Iowa, for $3.6 billion. After announcing the pending sale last year, the finished transaction gives Koch access to a state-of-the-art facility and its related businesses. The...
Keeping new dairy calves healthy from respiratory diseases
While we have talked at length about what H5N1 or bird flu looks like for dairy herds, we have to remember that this isn’t the only health concern we face. There are still the old standards we have to guard against, and at this time of year, we see more calves moving...
