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Increasing farm bankruptcies highlight economic challenges
New data from U.S. court filings indicate farm bankruptcy has risen again. This is yet another indicator that we are experiencing a struggling farm economy. Samantha Ayoub, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the data paints a stark picture of the farm economy. Ayoub said farm bankruptcies are not a perfect indicator of the farm economy, since the data often lags behind real farm finances. Additionally, Ayoub said only a small number of farms are even eligible for...
December adjustments to USDA beef production and steer price forecasts
USDA made slight adjustments to the beef production forecast for 2025 and 2026 in the December beef outlook. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski explains the alterations. USDA also adjusted month over month steer prices lower for both 2025 and 2026....
Secretary Naig announces 108 renewable fuels infrastructure projects to expand access to E15, biodiesel in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board approved 108 projects during their quarterly meeting on Dec. 17 to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects across the state. The...
Learning from 2025 to build a stronger 2026 crop plan
As growers look back on the challenges of 2025, many are already asking what they can do to be better prepared for 2026. Weather shifts, late-season disease surprises, and rapid swings in crop conditions proved once again that no two years behave the same. Brad Gibson...
Specialty crop growers feeling left out
In a time of financial stress for many farmers across the country, the $12 billion bridge assistance payments that were recently announced are welcome relief for many. However, $11 billion dollars of the relief payments are being distributed to row crop farmers,...
USDA launches final phase of 2025 ag resource management study
Beginning later this month, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will spend several months gathering information about farm economics from farmers and ranchers throughout the U.S. The agency will be conducting its third and final phase of the 2025...
Impacts of Argentina’s export tax cut
It was recently announced that Argentina cut its export tax by 2%, which creates even more of a price gap with U.S. soybean prices. However, the global demand situation is too complex to trade just on prices alone. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the...
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Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above growth neutral
For only the second time in 2025, the overall Rural Mainstreet Index climbed above a growth-neutral reading of 50.0. That’s according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in a rural ten-state region dependent on agriculture and energy. The December reading hit 50.1, its...
Rural families struggle with slower postal deliveries
Reliable mail service is not a luxury in rural America. It is a necessity for receiving checks, handling daily business, and getting critical medicine and supplies that many families cannot easily pick up in town. But delays are becoming more common, and the...
Notable events in the ag economy in 2025
As 2025 winds down, it is a good time to look back on the ag economy for the year. On the surface the most basic analysis is that it was a tough year for grain producers while livestock producers had a more prosperous year, especially in the cattle sector. USDA Chief...
U.S. beef cooperating with halal certifications in Muslim countries
U.S. beef exports to many Muslim majority countries must meet certain halal certification guidelines, but those requirements can vary broadly from country to country. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Director of Export Services Jim Remcheck said USMEF works closely...
Ag forecasts for 2026
Since 2020, AgriBusiness Global has developed a yearly forecast of key events likely to impact global agriculture and agribusiness in the year ahead. Among the top forecasts for 2026 are input prices staying flat or increasing as suppliers compete for farm purchases....
