Top Stories
Findings from April Cattle on Feed Report
The Cattle on Feed Reports from USDA provide a look at the inventory of cattle in feedlots throughout the United States. The April Cattle on Feed Report shows another year over year decrease according to USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell. McConnell points out that total inventory was slightly down compared to last year. He also details some of the trends from the April report. McConnell states that the trend of feeding cattle to heavier finishing weights is continuing. The next USDA...
Farm Bill 2.0 provides additional certainty
House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson recently released the text of Farm Bill 2.0, or the “Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026.” Groups like the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomed the provisions that strengthen the agriculture measures included in...
Naig voices frustration over stalled federal E15 progress
Federal movement on year-round E15 access remains uncertain as February winds down, leaving biofuels supporters waiting for clearer direction from Congress. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says frustration is growing among ethanol advocates who believed...
RFA blames divided oil industry for no year-round E15 deal
The Renewable Fuels Association says that a deal on year-round E15 access could have crossed the finish line if not for infighting between a divided oil industry. Renewable Fuels Association Senior Vice-President Troy Bredenkamp says most of the oil industry was on...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-20-26)
The weekly export sales report was significantly overshadowed by trade deal news and the Supreme Court’s decision to rule against President Trump’s tariff authority, but that doesn’t change the fact that both the corn and soybean markets saw uncharacteristically good...
Supreme Court rules against President Trump’s tariff authority
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump does not have the authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to enact global tariffs, dealing a major blow to the President’s primary economic strategy. This decision comes...
Trump order protects glyphosate, phosphate production
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect the domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order says these two critical inputs are essential to military readiness and...
Video
More Ag News
Number of farms and total acreage of farm ground down in the U.S.
According to the latest USDA report, the number of farms in the United States is down year over year. National Agricultural Statistics Service Administrator Joseph Parsons also provides the statistics for total acreage of farm ground in use in the U.S. Parsons says...
HPAI detected in a multi-species backyard flock in Buena Vista County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in...
National Pork Industry Forum shapes the future of U.S. pork
As the pork industry’s largest annual meeting across both the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board, the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, brings together producers and industry stakeholders from across the country. Rob...
CROPLAN Offers Crop Management Advice for Iowa
As Iowa farmers prepare for another growing season, agronomists say planning ahead for disease pressure and crop management decisions can help growers stay ahead of potential problems. Jeff Osterhaus with CROPLAN says many conversations with farmers right now focus on...
Iowa Soybean Association is evolving to face ag industry issues
This year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio saw a record number of farmers in attendance. In many discussions throughout the event, it was clear that farmers are prepared to give this crop season their all, no matter what challenges they may face. Aaron Putze, chief...
