Top Stories
U.S. Export Sales Report (11-20-25)
With the government slowly reopening, the weekly government reports- including the export sales- are covering the data that was missed during the shutdown. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said it will take a while for the government to catch up. This report covers the data from September 26-October 2. McBride said the corn sales were some of the best for that timeframe. McBride said the soybean numbers weren’t as good, but they were still acceptable. McBride said there were flash sales...
Secretary Naig announces grants to bolster access to E15, biodiesel in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 48 grants, totaling more than $1.86 million, to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These...
Scout from the combine seat as weed escapes show
The combines are running full throttle across Iowa, and while farmers are focusing on bringing in the crop, another reality is emerging along the field edges and in bare spots: weeds that slipped through this year’s control programs. Those escapes may look harmless...
Government shutdown adding more uncertainty to the ag markets
The agriculture industry and ag markets have been dealt a lot of uncertainty in 2025. From the tariffs of the trade war to the new world screwworm shutdown of the border between Mexico and the United States, the markets have dealt with many unknowns. Now amid the...
Low Mississippi River levels again set to disrupt harvest shipping
For the fourth straight year, water levels in the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers will soon be critically low, forcing shippers to light-load grain barges during harvest season. As barge rates get higher, those higher costs are making their way down to the farm level....
Applications are open for 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship
The National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) is encouraging college students who are pursuing careers in the beef industry to apply for the 2026 CME Group Beef Industry Scholarship. Ten students will be selected to receive scholarships worth $1,500 each. NCBA Senior Vice...
Korean pizza chain adding U.S. pork sausage to menu
In South Korea, pizza chain Pizza Alvolo was looking to add something new to its menu. When it turned to the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) for assistance, USMEF Senior Marketing Manager for Foodservice in Korea Elly Sung suggested U.S. pork sausage. After...
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More Ag News
Looking ahead at financing options for 2026
It’s never too early to start thinking about the next crop season already. Vince Restucci, market segment manager with Valent, said farmers can start making next year’s plans as they sit in their combine cabs during harvest. Restucci said many financing programs for...
Grassley not optimistic for soybeans at Trump-Xi meeting
Longtime United States Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley is not optimistic that the upcoming meeting between President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping will reach a satisfactory conclusion on soybeans. The two presidents are set to meet at the upcoming Asia-Pacific...
Farmers are still flying blind in the ag economy
As harvest rolls on, farmers are flying blind when it comes to the ag economy. On top of the government shutdown, the lack of a new farm bill makes much of the future uncertain as well. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said farmers are missing out on several resources...
Study shows ag exports faltering
The U.S. has traditionally had a healthy agricultural trade surplus for years. As global dynamics change due to multiple political and economic factors, U.S. agricultural imports now exceed exports. A new study says the deficit is likely to get worse in the years...
Efficiency without reward in today’s dairy markets
Trying to make sense of today’s dairy markets might feel like trying to churn butter with a whisk. You can put in the effort, but the results may not make much sense. After a short stretch of stronger prices that gave producers a little breathing room, milk values...
