Top Stories
White mold – the invisible soybean killer
Planting season will be over before we know it, and, unfortunately, that means plant diseases need to be a top priority for farmers to keep track of. In 2024 alone, white mold cost soybean farmers an estimated $281.1 million in yield losses, and the management window for this disease is shorter than many farmers realize. Ken Deibert, technical services representative with BASF, said white mold starts at flowering. Since the disease starts off invisibly, Deibert said farmers can’t wait until...
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...
Ernst: 45Z must reflect Iowa farm practices
As federal agencies continue working through the rulemaking process for the 45Z clean fuel production credit, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the final guidance must reflect the work farmers are already doing on the ground. She says she and Senator Chuck Grassley have...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-26-26)
It’s been a volatile time in the ag marketplace, and that is no different for the export sales. This week’s numbers were a bit of a mixed bag. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales are still strong overall. McBride said the soybean sales were...
RVO announcement coming very soon
The renewable fuels industry has been long awaiting the Environmental Protection Agency's release of the latest Renewable Volume Obligation blending requirements which are expected to be announced very soon. Lee Zeldin, administrator of the Environmental Protection...
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Bayer opens seed innovation center at ISU Research Park
A new facility in central Iowa will allow students, researchers, and other industry leaders to collaborate on the latest advances in seed production. Bayer recently announced the opening of the Seed Production Innovation (SPI) Innovation Center, located at the Iowa...
Clean Fuels Alliance submits comments on 45Z credit rule
Clean Fuels Alliance America has submitted formal comments to the U.S. Treasury Department regarding proposed rules for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, calling for additional clarity as the agency works to finalize the policy. The organization praised Treasury...
Heifer development is critical for cattle herd success
Cow numbers have been declining for the past few years. However, with the bullish cattle market, it may be time for producers to start retaining more females. Development of replacement heifers is best accomplished through quality management, implementing parasite...
February red meat exports contain bright spots for pork and beef
February exports of U.S. pork were slightly higher year-over-year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said February was a robust month for per-head export value, with pork...
John Deere updates repair tools under new EPA guidance
As planting season approaches, John Deere says new Environmental Protection Agency guidance is giving farmers more flexibility to keep equipment running during some of the most critical times of the year. The company says two recent EPA updates allow expanded...
