Top Stories
Rural America needs more ag tax professionals
Tax season can be a stressful time of year, and that is especially true for farm country. As the number of tax preparers who are familiar with the unique complexities of agricultural income declines, a new program from Iowa State University is being developed to offer free ag-tax training to tax-prep professionals across the country and bring those numbers back up. Kristine Tidgren, director of Iowa State’s Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation (CALT), said they are spending the next year...
Reaching the limits of feeding cattle to heavier finishing weights
The total number of beef cattle in the United States is at the lowest level since the 1950s. To make up for the lack of beef cattle while still producing the necessary amount of beef for consumer demand, the cattle industry is feeding cattle to heavier weights. Eric...
The proof of pork demand is in consumer data
The National Pork Board has a comprehensive business intelligence team analyzing data throughout the supply chain, including consumer preference, volume, value, and purchase trends. Kiersten Hafer, NPB vice president of business intelligence and innovation, said they...
Beef, most fertilizers exempt from new tariffs
A new ten percent U.S. tariff on goods from around the world took effect on Tuesday. Meatingplace said a list of tariff exemptions included beef, some fertilizers, and metals like steel and aluminum that are already under Section 232 national security tariffs. The ten...
Mental health pressure builds for Iowa farmers but help exists
As agriculture heads toward another challenging season, rural health professionals say the mental strain on farmers continues to grow. Market uncertainty, weather concerns, and long hours can weigh heavily on producers. While conversations around mental health have...
Feenstra discusses plans to make Iowa “the most ag and business-friendly state”
It’s no secret that we are navigating an exceptionally difficult farm economy. Many farmers, particularly at the smaller level, are facing tough decisions on whether or not they can even operate for another year. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra is running for...
Planted acres projections reflect cautious farm economy
USDA economists predict some shifting crop acres as farmers continue to face a difficult economy. As crop farmers prepare to plant their corn, soybeans, or wheat in 2026, many are making decisions with the current farm economy in mind. Faith Parum, an economist for...
Video
More Ag News
Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids
Agriculture’s role in eastern Iowa will be recognized later this month as the annual Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids. The event brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, community members, and local officials to highlight agriculture’s importance...
Iowa Soybean Association conducts industry-leading on-farm research
In order to continue to develop the soybean industry, it’s important to focus on more than just the bushels that make it through the combine. Without research, many of the latest ag developments simply wouldn’t exist. Aaron Putze, chief officer of brand management and...
USDA sets spring crop insurance prices
As spring planting gears up across the country, the Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency has determined crop insurance prices for 2026. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, has details on three major crops. Parum said these...
Significant drought coverage in ag production areas
Although planting season is just a few weeks away, the latest U.S. Drought Monitor shows significant drought coverage in ag production regions of the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey details the situation for the major corn and soybean growing regions of...
House Ag Committee advances farm bill
The House Agriculture Committee advanced a Republican-led farm bill 34-17 in a vote early on Thursday. While the markup was slowed by partisan fighting about the package, the legislation was approved with the backing of seven Democrats. Politico said that the bill is...
