Top Stories
Harsh tariffs can negatively impact farmer mental health
It’s no secret that the ag economy is volatile right now. With tariffs and other global issues, farmers are feeling the economic squeeze, and that can take a huge toll on their mental health. Matt Willamack, Iowa Soybean Association District 6 board member, said small-scale farms and younger farmers tend to feel the pinch first. As more and more people become further removed from the farm, rural mental health issues can often be overlooked. Even though some global trade relationships...
NCBA provides update on status of New World screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was notified late last fall about the detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. Since then, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has worked closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)...
NRCS celebrates 90 years of service
The 90th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service was recognized Friday in ceremonies at USDA headquarters in Washington DC. NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt says the NRCS has played a large role in conservation efforts nationwide, but that work was also...
Off-farm income keeping some operations afloat
For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running. In 2023, an AFBF Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself,...
IDALS supports urban & rural initiatives for clean water
As we kick off National Soil and Water Conservation Week, we realize that water quality has long been a hot-button issue in Iowa, drawing attention from communities across the state. While much of the spotlight has been on how farmers are working to protect and...
EPA grants summertime E15 fuel waiver
On Monday the Environmental Protection Agency announced an emergency fuel waiver to allow the summertime sale of E15 in 2025. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says her group is grateful for the announcement. Skor says the emergency waiver will save drivers money at the...
Corn grower groups urging Ford to stand with rural America
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), alongside more than 20 other state corn organizations and the National Corn Growers Association, is formally calling on Ford Motor Company to reinstate its production of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and reengage in advancing...
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More Ag News
Is emergence the secret to higher corn yields?
In a perfect world all corn plants would emerge simultaneously within the same window. Unfortunately, farmers operate in an imperfect world and ideal, even emergence is not a given. In a year with tight margins, AgriGold Agronomist Brett Leahr says that growers can...
Mental Health Awareness Month: It’s okay to not be okay
May is Mental Health Awareness month. The stresses of farming can easily take a toll on you or your family members, especially during a busy time like planting season. In his weekly commentary provided to farm broadcasters, American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall...
Secretary Rollins: Not closing FSA offices
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins testified before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee this week and defended downsizing the USDA and potential cuts to international food programs. Reuters says the secretary added that the Agriculture Department doesn’t plan to close any...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-9-25)
As the U.S. works on more global trade issues, the export sales are continuing to perform well above expectations, at least for corn. Soybeans aren’t bad, but they aren’t quite as good. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown on the latest numbers...
Farm Bill vs. Reconciliation: A risky tradeoff?
The Farm Bill has already been postponed twice, and as summer approaches, the odds of it getting passed this year are looking slim. Many of the programs within the bill are long overdue for updates—everything from crop insurance to conservation and nutrition programs....
