Top Stories
USDA sets April loan rates as farmers weigh borrowing costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced updated loan interest rates for April, offering a key benchmark for producers making financing decisions ahead of the planting season. Operating loans are set at 4.75%, while farm ownership loans will carry a 5.75% interest rate. The rates reflect broader trends in credit markets as borrowing costs remain elevated compared with recent years. Farmers often rely on USDA-backed loans to cover expenses such as seed, equipment and land purchases....
Iowa House passes bill restricting drone surveillance of livestock facilities
The Iowa House of Representatives passed a bill that restricts drone surveillance of livestock facilities without permission from the property owner. If House File 572 becomes law, remotely piloted aircraft couldn?t fly within 400 feet of homesteads or other areas...
Optimizing performance and saving money with Precision Planting
If you are a farmer looking to upgrade your ag equipment with new technology you are doing so because you are attempting to produce better yields and improve profitability. You can achieve those goals with new equipment, but it will come with a costly price tag....
Take care of your fields and yourself this planting season
Whether your planters are rolling or the ground is still frozen, it?s that time of year to review your plans for Spring and make sure you?re ready to pivot if needed. Chris Turner, U.S. Country Division Head for Bayer, is reminding growers to take care of their fields...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-13-23)
After a few weeks of considerable market activity, this week?s export sales were fairly unremarkable. Both corn and soybeans were slightly low but still came within estimates. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week?s export data.On...
Secretary Naig issues statement on WOTUS court decision
DES MOINES, Iowa (Apr. 12, 2023) ? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig released the following statement after the court's decision today on the new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule:?The court?s decision to grant an injunction on the Biden Administration?s...
Could we see a serious drop in demand for our products?
While the planters are beginning to roll in parts of Iowa, we are filled with optimism for the year ahead. Farming requires you to be one of those eternal optimists. You need to be prepared to fight any challenge that comes along while hoping that you never face...
Video
More Ag News
Reducing risks associated with fertilizer reduction
As input prices vary, producers are looking for ways to reduce and optimize their nutrient applications. However, when prices are low, that doesn't mean that farmers should start over-applying synthetic fertilizers. Nick Becker, director of field sales with Sound...
PRRS is back in the Iowa swine herd
On top of tough finances, we’re now seeing some disease show up in Iowa's swine herd with a PRRS outbreak: We're seeing the last couple of months, we've had more PRRS outbreaks on finishing floors than we've had in breeding herds. That is always a harbinger of things...
Bryan Whaley named Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO
AMES, Iowa — Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, is pleased to announce Bryan Whaley as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective Dec. 4, 2023. Whaley brings many years of experience...
Farmers are an asset on trade trips
So many of our goods are sent out through export to other countries. Agriculture is one of many industries that relies on strong trade with partners around the globe. It takes a team of good people who can help us find new markets and strengthen our relations with...
Farmland Values Forecast is Stable
Farmland values forecast from our friends at Farm Credit Services of American where Fallon Savage says after a wild year in 2022, things now are a little different: “That's really starting to stabilize as we head into the fourth quarter of 2023. Tight supply...
