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Examining record corn exports
Will the 2026-27 commodity marketing year produce another record for U.S. corn exports? The 2025-2026 marketing year was a record year for U.S. corn exports and USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez was asked recently if the 26-27 marketing year can follow that trend. Benevidez says that the pace has slowed a bit for corn exports in the new marketing year but also provides some optimism for sales to export markets. That was USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez.
USDA faces borrowing caps for farm programs
The Commodity Credit Corporation may soon fall short of funds, hindering farm safety net programs. While increases in the farm safety net through the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act were welcome, there are concerns that USDA will receive enough funding for the safety net...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-30-26)
Both corn and soybean sales were strong this week, but those strong export sales were overshadowed by market pressure from the wars overseas as well as the weather here in the U.S. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown of the corn export data....
Iowa State Fair just two weeks away
With just two weeks until the Iowa State Fair opens, excitement is building for one of Iowa's signature summer traditions. As county fair season begins to wind down, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says those local fairs continue to connect Iowans with...
Map the Meal Gap study highlights growing presence of food insecurity
The latest Map the Meal Gap study from Feeding America shows the harrowing impact of food insecurity in Iowa and across the country. In this year’s study, data shows that 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children face food insecurity. Additionally, the annual meal gap in...
GLP-1 trend fuels demand for U.S. dairy
Consumer demand is reshaping the dairy industry, introducing new market opportunities for versatile dairy producers. The biggest growth isn't coming from traditional products like cheese and butter. Instead, processors are investing heavily in high-protein milk,...
USDA reminds farmers of important deadlines
USDA is reminding farmers and ranchers that deadlines are approaching for several programs designed to help offset higher input costs, recover from disasters, and strengthen financial protection. The Farm Service Agency says applications for the Assistance for...
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Research highlights where agrivoltaics works best
As more farmland is considered for solar energy development, researchers are exploring whether crops and clean energy can successfully share the same acres. The USDA-funded SCAPES project – short for Sustainably Colocating Agricultural and Photovoltaic Electricity...
Iowa farmers need to keep scouting crops amid disease pressure
While it’s not as bad as last year, Southern Rust is spreading across Iowa, and it can take over fields quickly. On top of that, this is also the point in the crop season where tar spot tends to impact corn fields as well. This makes effective crop scouting more...
Senator Grassley discusses farm bill fallout
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is back in Iowa after the Senate Agriculture Committee failed to advance its farm bill last Thursday and the Senate is in its August recess. Senator Grassley says he will be engaging with Iowa’s farmers to talk to them about...
Secretary Naig invites fairgoers to get into the “Fair Spirit” with Choose Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting fairgoers to get into the “Fair Spirit” Choose Iowa during the 2026 Iowa State Fair, Aug. 13-23 in Des Moines. As an official sponsor of the Iowa State Fair, Choose Iowa will showcase the people, food, agriculture...
Don’t wait for crisis to plan farm succession
Passing a farm from one generation to the next involves more than transferring land, equipment or livestock. For many farm families, succession means determining the future of a business, a livelihood and a legacy that may have taken generations to build. That...
