Top Stories
Farmers want to sell their crops, not collect payments
As Iowa farmers look back on 2025 and begin planning for the year ahead, trade remains one of the biggest issues shaping the future of agriculture. It has been a year marked by disruption, uncertainty, and tight margins, leaving many producers searching for stability rather than short-term relief. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says there is no denying the challenges farmers faced in 2025, particularly in terms of trade. Tariffs and shifting policies created uncertainty, but Naig...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-28-25)
While we wait to hear more official news about President Trump’s Argentine beef import plan, farmers in South America are rolling along with planting season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in Brazil and Argentina....
Increasing opportunities for U.S. pork in South Korea
South Korea ranks as the fifth-largest market for U.S. pork year-to-date. Andy Tauer, vice president of international market development with the National Pork Board, said strong consumer demand in South Korea is expected to keep growing, which could move the country...
Trade talks boost grain markets ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s preliminary negotiations with Chinese trade officials, the grain markets have rallied significantly ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. Commodity broker Joe Camp of Commstock...
Bessent: deal set for China to begin importing U.S. Soybeans
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects that China won’t impose export controls on rare earth mineral exports, and the U.S. won’t impose 100 percent tariffs on China. During separate interviews over the weekend, Bessent said trade negotiations with China have...
Naig says Congress has wasted enough time
As the government shutdown drags into its twenty-eighth day, frustration across the country is boiling over. From farmers waiting on FSA offices to reopen, to families relying on SNAP benefits, real Americans are paying the price while Congress remains stuck in its...
October is National Manufacturing Month
October is National Manufacturing Month, and manufacturers are incredibly important for the ag industry. Manufacturing is also a big part of Iowa’s economy, with over 220,000 Iowans employed in the manufacturing industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said...
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More Ag News
USDA to issue full November SNAP benefits
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a letter to SNAP State Agency Directors informing them that it will be releasing full November SNAP funding. The move is in compliance with a federal court order issued Thursday by the District Court of Rhode...
Chinese trade deal framework may not be as bullish as it seems
With the lack of government reports we’ve seen during the shutdown, the ag marketplace is desperately searching for any news to react to. The Chinese trade deal framework provided a decent shot of energy to the market prices, but the deal may not be as bullish as it...
Ag Economy Barometer looks ahead to 2026
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer is a monthly index that measures the economic sentiment of U.S. agricultural producers. It is used as a weathervane to determine general farmer sentiment of the ag economy in the present while also looking towards...
Phosphate, potash added to critical minerals list
The United States Geological Survey has added both phosphate and potash to the federal list of minerals considered critical to national security and economic stability. The decision—published Thursday by the U.S. Department of the Interior—raises the total number of...
Fall brings carbon credit opportunities for farmers
As combines start cooling down and planners begin thinking ahead to 2026, it’s also a good time to look at new ways to add value on the farm. One area getting plenty of attention lately is the carbon credit market and how it could fit into long-term management plans...
