Top Stories
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 agriculture while helping young people develop skills that last well beyond the show ring. Naig says county fairs give thousands of young exhibitors the chance to learn responsibility, dedication, and sportsmanship while also providing many...
China honoring trade agreement and purchasing U.S. grain
The markets have been trending upward during this shortened trading week. After a rough start to the month, some recent headlines have given the corn and soybeans something to work with. Michael Weidner, director of grain origination and producer strategy at Landus...
June forecast for meat prices
In the latest livestock, dairy, and poultry outlook from USDA, the Department of Agriculture provides the updated meat price forecasts for this month. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says the adjustments for cattle were slight. He says the...
Corn and soybean planting near completion nationwide
Most U.S. farmers have nearly finished spring planting as crop conditions remain generally favorable. According to USDA data reported by Successful Farming, 97% of the nation’s corn crop has been planted, while soybean planting is more than 90% complete. Kentucky,...
Check on your tires to minimize equipment downtime
Downtime in the field not only slows you down, but it also hurts your pocket. Regardless of the stage you are in during the growing season, keeping equipment in optimal conditions is crucial for maximizing its use. Greg Jones, the senior manager for field engineering...
Hesitation could hinder screwworm eradication efforts
The effort to prevent New World Screwworm from reestablishing itself in the United States continues on multiple fronts. While officials are expanding the infrastructure needed to combat the pest, animal health experts say success will also depend on vigilance and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-17-26)
The upcoming forecasts for Brazil and Argentina finally contain some rain, and while that is normally appreciated, it can cause harvest delays. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said that shouldn’t be a problem. McBride said harvest in Argentina is...
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More Ag News
What to expect from the USDA acreage and grain stocks reports
On Tuesday June 30th USDA will publish the planted acreage and quarterly grain stocks reports. These reports typically have been known to move the ag marketplace one way or the other based on the updated numbers for planted acreage and the grain on hand in the stocks...
US hog inventory edges lower; productivity ticks up
The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 73.7 million head as of June 1, down slightly from a year earlier and from March, USDA said Thursday in its quarterly report. Market hogs accounted for 67.8 million head, while 5.88 million were kept for breeding, according to...
Next week’s heat dome could stress Iowa crops
We’re roughly halfway through the growing season here in Iowa, and there are varying crop conditions across the state. Much of the crop looks very strong currently, but there are some areas struggling with disease, pest, and weather issues. Dan Bjorklund, technical...
Uncertainty around Brazil’s production forecast for 2027
Brazil’s corn and soybean crops could have a major impact on global grain markets. Joanna Colussi, a research assistant professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University, identified fertilizer as the root of the problem. Colussi discussed how the stagnant...
Screwworm far from Iowa, but worth watching
New World Screwworm remains hundreds of miles from Iowa, with confirmed cases confined to parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. While there is no indication the pest is moving into Iowa anytime soon, state officials say it's important for livestock producers to...
