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Growing corn supplies increase need for demand
The food versus fuel debate has followed corn ethanol for decades. Critics argue that using corn for fuel removes it from the food supply. Corn growers counter that ethanol production also creates livestock feed, while increasing yields leave farmers searching for more uses for what they produce. Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Mueller says corn can provide food, fuel, fiber, and feed. Current production figures place the amount of distillers grains closer to 15 to 17 pounds from...
House approves additional farm aid
The U.S. House of Representatives has approved $12 billion in additional farm aid as part of its budget reconciliation package. John Newton, vice president of public policy with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the struggles of the farm economy have made...
USDA moves forward with mandatory relocation despite pushback
The USDA Rural Development Mission Area intends to move nearly 3,000 members of its workforce out of the Washington, DC area, according to a report from Meatingplace. The relocation aims to modernize operations, increase accountability, and ensure federal resources...
Heavy rain hits crops in central Iowa again
Earlier this week, torrential rains hit central Iowa once again via a windbag storm. On top of the rain, heavy wind and hail damaged crops in some parts of the state. Dan Bjorklund, technical agronomist at Landus Cooperative, said that, while central and eastern Iowa...
Record voter support for E15 captures Senate’s attention
A new voter poll shows record support for all year around higher-ethanol fuel blend. Geoff Cooper, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, wants to use the data to advance year-round E15 legislation through the Senate. He explains that voter support for...
Nutrien offers producers added financial flexibility
Farmers continue to face financial pressure as depressed commodity prices and elevated input costs squeeze profit margins across the countryside. As producers look for ways to preserve working capital while still investing in their crops, financing has become another...
Southern Rust has been detected again in Iowa
Last year, Southern Rust made a late appearance in corn fields across Iowa and wreaked havoc on yields. Yesterday, Southern Rust was officially confirmed in a few Iowa counties, which is particularly alarming considering the similar timing to last year's problems....
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Lower disease pressure in Iowa this year
At this point of the growing season the picture starts to become clearer about what farmers are dealing with in their fields this year. Grant Harms is a technical field agronomist with Corteva Agriscience and he says that southern rust is not as widespread in Iowa...
Farmers spent $1.4B more on diesel during planting season
A new study by Joint Economic Committee Democrats found that farmers of key crops in the U.S. spent $1.4 billion more on diesel fuel during the 2025–2026 planting season than they did last season, reports Successful Farming. The increase in diesel spending to plant...
USDA faces borrowing caps for farm programs
The Commodity Credit Corporation may soon fall short of funds, hindering farm safety net programs. While increases in the farm safety net through the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act were welcome, there are concerns that USDA will receive enough funding for the safety net...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-30-26)
Both corn and soybean sales were strong this week, but those strong export sales were overshadowed by market pressure from the wars overseas as well as the weather here in the U.S. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown of the corn export data....
Iowa State Fair just two weeks away
With just two weeks until the Iowa State Fair opens, excitement is building for one of Iowa's signature summer traditions. As county fair season begins to wind down, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says those local fairs continue to connect Iowans with...
