Top Stories
Getting a comprehensive look at soil nutrients with tissue and soil tests
Harvest is approaching fast- in fact, some parts of the state have rolled out combines already. Once this year’s crop is out of the field, it’ll be an ideal time to do some soil testing. Eileen Bernard, director of farm and retail growth at Farmers Edge, said farmers need to be purposeful with the tests they conduct. Bernard said that having healthier soil can help crops to better handle late season disease pressure. Bernard said they also recently added tissue testing to their Grimes...
Farmers need to have a seat at the MAHA table
The much-anticipated recommendations from the Make America Healthy Commission will be released soon. In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said the commission must seek farmers' input. Duvall said they appreciate the communication from...
‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa at the 2025 ISF
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 31, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig welcomes Iowa State Fairgoers to indulge in fun ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa during the annual 11-day event slated for Aug. 7 through Aug. 17 in Des Moines. Choose Iowa, a...
Grain donations could turn harvests into hope
Hunger remains a persistent challenge across the country, affecting people of all backgrounds, incomes, and communities. It’s a crisis that cuts across urban and rural lines alike, with food pantries and assistance programs struggling to keep up as demand grows. More...
Heat dome ridge led to derecho in Upper Midwest
The Midwest heat dome is finally broken, and temperatures are now much more pleasant. The heat dome didn’t leave quietly, though, as it caused a derecho to form and tear across much of the Upper Midwest. Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said a “ring of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-31-25)
This week’s export sales were back to the great pace that we saw for a while. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said new crop corn sales set a record for this week. On the other hand, McBride said the new crop soybean sales are concerning. McBride said some...
Grassley addresses the chances of a farm bill in 2025
After Congress included farm bill improvements in the reconciliation bill, talk in Washington D.C. shifted to crafting a “skinny farm bill” before the end of 2025. The scaled down version of the traditional farm bill would address the remaining ag programs that were...
Video
More Ag News
Grassley discusses farmer concerns at Iowa State Fair
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has visited the Iowa State Fair at least once every year since 1974. On Friday he made his annual visit to the fairgrounds and stopped by the Iowa Ag Radio exhibit. Senator Grassley tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network...
Iowa State Fair crowns 2025 Big Boar champion
While it may not have been another record, this year’s big boar at the Iowa State Fair still tipped the scales at a hefty 1,268 pounds. The winning pig, Duke, is owned by Brian Britt out of Monticello, Iowa. Britt said he has raised Duke since he was born. In order to...
Wetter weather leads to enhanced disease pressure
We’ve had a very successful crop year, but the intense amount of moisture recently has led to some concerns. Emily Prevo, an AgriGold agronomist in southern Iowa, said farmers are worried about water pooling and nitrogen runoff from all of the rain. Prevo said the...
U.S. ag trade deficit continues climbing in 2025
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit a record high in the first half of 2025. Bloomberg said that only highlights American farmers’ longtime dominant role in world exports, which is hurt by President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Agricultural export value trailed the...
Grilling up fun at the Iowa Pork Producers Tent
Mother Nature tried to put a damper on the Iowa State Fair yesterday, spending much of the morning tossing thunderstorms our way. Nothing severe, but enough to keep the early crowds in check. By the time I arrived for my 11 a.m. “celebrity chef” shift at the Iowa Pork...
