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U.S. red meat exports were strong in March
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17...
Ag retailers outline 2026 policy priorities
The Agricultural Retailers Association outlined its 2026 Public Policy Priorities, announcing a comprehensive agenda designed to support America’s ag retailers and strengthen the nation’s food and supply chains. The priorities also support science-based, practical...
Equipment market finding stability after volatile swings
After several years of dramatic highs and lows, the farm equipment market may finally be starting to stabilize. Corey Nordhausen with AgDirect says it doesn’t take much of a look back to see just how quickly conditions changed. That surge in demand created tight...
Managing weeds during unpredictable spring weather
As we have seen over the past couple weeks, the weather in Iowa can change on a dime. According to NOAA, that variability will continue throughout the 2026 spring season. This can make weed management even more difficult- drier areas will have to be mindful of...
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-17-26)
The weather patterns are still favorable for farmers as harvest and planting continues in Brazil. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest forecasts for South America. McBride said progress is still looking good for both harvest and...
Dry winter did not replenish needed moisture for growing season
Generally speaking, it was a mild and dry winter season for the United States. And it has left many areas of the country with dryness as the beginning of the planting season approaches. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey details the lack of precipitation this winter...
China signals openness to buying more U.S. ag products
Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials held what were called “remarkably stable” talks in Paris during the weekend on several topics. Reuters said the discussions centered on potential areas of agreement in agriculture, critical minerals, and managed trade for U.S....
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Ernst backs Glen Smith, USDA restructuring plan
Another Iowan could soon be stepping into a key USDA leadership role, while the department also looks to reshape how it operates across the country. Senator Joni Ernst says Glen Smith is moving through the confirmation process for a USDA under secretary role, calling...
Fareway and Murphy Family Foundation team up for 6th annual food donation
This past Tuesday, the Murphy Family Foundation teamed up with Fareway for the sixth year in a row of donating Easter meal kits to the Food Bank of Iowa. Food insecurity is still more present than ever across the state, and these meal kits will provide a sense of...
Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture’s impact
Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the report tracks three layers of impact. Munch said when you combine those...
Hog inventories up in March
The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from USDA shows an increase in inventories. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell says the total number of hogs in the U.S. is up compared to this time a year ago. McConnell says hog inventories remain stable, adding that...
Secretary Naig issues statement on the Trump administration’s RFS volumes
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized strong renewable volume obligations (RVO) within the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026 and 2027: “Biofuels lower costs at the...
