Top Stories
New ARC/PLC acres will be specifically distributed
Thirty million new base acres in last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill won’t be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, the USDA is electing to distribute those acres in a more organized way. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce said producers don’t need to rush to their FSA office for the new Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) base acres. Fordyce said this will keep farmers from having to stake their claim on base...
China’s lockout of U.S. beef continues to be a top issue
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) leaders were on hand as the cattle industry gathered in Nashville for the 2026 Cattle Industry Convention. Top of mind for the industry was the continued lockout of U.S. beef in the China market. USMEF Vice President of Economic...
What to expect in the cattle marketplace in 2026
The cattle industry convention and NCBA trade show was in Nashville Tennessee last week and the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network spoke with Ross Baldwin of AgMarket.net about what to expect in the cattle markets this year. Baldwin tells the Iowa Ag Radio Network that...
Iowa’s Best Burger Contest returns for 2026
The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) are proud to announce the return of the Iowa’s Best Burger Contest, inviting Iowans to once again celebrate the state’s favorite beef dish while supporting local restaurants across Iowa....
Stalled renewable fuels growth risks Iowa rural economy
Renewable fuels have been one of the most important demand drivers for Iowa agriculture over the past two decades, helping farmers absorb growing productivity while supporting jobs and investment in rural communities. But industry leaders say that momentum has...
ISA reacts to 45z tax credit news
The soybean markets have seen a ton of support this week, mostly due to the announcement of 45z tax credit guidelines. Soybean farmers across the country have been waiting for this announcement for far too long, and now there is finally a light at the end of the...
USDA Farm Income Forecast is lower for 2026
USDA released the first farm income projections for 2026. Carrie Litkowski, a senior economist with the USDA’s Economic Research Service, said the income forecast is lower this year. Litkowski said there are several notable increases in the forecast as well. For more...
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More Ag News
Iowa ag professionals encouraged to broaden their industry knowledge
A new statewide program is available for mid-career Iowa ag professionals to increase their industry knowledge and professional development in 2026. America’s Cultivation Corridor is hosting the Cultivate 360 program in order to deepen the understanding of Iowa’s food...
CoBank projects increased soybean acres in 2026
A new report from CoBank said farmers may be planting more soybeans in 2026. Tanner Ehmke, the lead economist for grains and oilseeds, talked about the numbers. Ehmke said most of the basis price problems appear to be limited to the Dakotas. On the other hand,...
Iowa Century Farms celebration will tie legacy to America250
As Iowa prepares to mark the nation’s 250th birthday, state agriculture leaders are encouraging farm families to take part in a long-standing tradition that honors generations of stewardship on the land. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now...
NCBA starts at the grassroots
Buck Wehrbein is the outgoing president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Wehrbein tells the Iowa Ag Radio Network that his year as president in 2025 went by in a flash. He says profitability for producers is in a great spot and is hopeful that the current...
Biofuel leaders want accelerated action on year-round E15
The Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, and the National Corn Growers Association released a statement regarding the lack of progress toward a legislative solution offering consumers permanent year-round E15 access. After reaching an impasse in January, House...
