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Global demand growing for U.S. Soybeans outside China
For the past several months, the United States and China have been uneasy trade partners when it comes to soybeans. There is technically an agreement in place, and China has made some purchases, but it has not exactly been the most reliable relationship. That uncertainty is why the U.S. soybean industry has been looking more aggressively toward new and expanding markets around the world, rather than depending so heavily on one customer. The U.S. Soybean Export Council has been leading that...
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...
Previewing the first WASDE report since the government shutdown
After not getting a WASDE report in October due to the government shutdown, the USDA announced that there will be a WASDE report this month regardless of whether or not the shutdown has ended. This has the commodity markets very excited, as there has not been much...
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Secretary Naig congratulates winners of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s culinary competition
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today congratulated the winners of the Iowa Restaurant Association’s (IRA) Culinary Competition. The annual event highlights the creativity, skill and imagination of Iowa’s top chefs while celebrating the depth and diversity of...
Lenders want clear plans as farmers seek 2026 credit
Farmers are already looking ahead to the next growing season, and that means it is time to start preparing for an operating line of credit for 2026. Lenders want to see more than a basic snapshot of your plans. They want a clear picture of how you intend to manage the...
A growing season of variability in Iowa
Each growing season is different and the growing season in Iowa this year has been defined by a wide range of outcomes. Yields across the state have varied based on several conditions but primarily rainfall timing and disease pressure. The growing season got off to...
Used cooking oil still negatively affecting soybean oil prices
The Trump administration continues to delay the release of the final rules for the 45z tax credit, which is allowing used cooking oil to remain as a thorn in the side of the soybean oil industry. Kenan Layden, hedging strategist with AgMarket.Net, said the delay is...
AFBF Thanksgiving Survey shows slightly lower costs in 2025
Every year, volunteer shoppers from the American Farm Bureau Federation help determine the average cost of feeding ten people for a Thanksgiving meal. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving Cost Survey results show a slight dip in costs this year....
