Top Stories
Crop protection strategies key in tight margin year
With tighter margins facing agriculture this year, producers are being encouraged to take a close look at their risk management plans as the March 16 crop insurance deadline approaches. Reviewing coverage options and making sure protection aligns with a farm’s cost of production could be especially important heading into the 2026 growing season. Tony Jesina with Farm Credit Services of America says this year may require producers to take a harder look at their risk management strategies as...
Will the January WASDE report feature a yield reduction?
The January USDA WASDE report will be released on Monday January 12th and right now market analysts are leaning towards an expectation for a yield cut to corn and or soybeans. How much of a cut is still to be determined, if it happens at all, but last year’s January...
USDA is officially caught up on export sales
With the latest numbers released on Monday, the USDA is now officially caught up on export sales. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the reports came out a little slower than expected due to the holidays, but we are now fully caught up, especially with this...
Secretary Rollins announces new slate of political appointments to USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a new slate of presidential appointments to key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is building a powerhouse team of Presidential Appointees deeply...
North American Bee Strategy aims to improve honeybee health
Honeybee colonies in the U.S. experienced significant losses in 2024, with an estimated 55% of managed colonies reported as lost from April 2024 to April 2025. That is the highest loss rate since tracking began in 2010. In response, the Honey Bee Health Coalition...
Iowa Electric Co-ops stress storm safety
Winter weather in Iowa can turn quickly. Snow, wind, and bitter cold often arrive with little mercy, and when they do, travel and power reliability can both become concerns. That is why the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives is reminding rural residents to stay...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-6-26)
Now is the time where the crops in Brazil are in a critical growth stage, so the markets across the globe are keeping an eye on the weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there has been a good amount of rain so far, which is what they need. The...
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More Ag News
Top factors influencing meat demand in 2026
Despite consumers facing high prices for meat at the grocery store in 2025, demand for meat remained high throughout the year. Glynn Tonsor, an agricultural economics professor at Kansas State University, says 2026 could see spending concerns for consumers making an...
Feenstra working to make farming less dangerous and risky
Farming can be a risky and dangerous business. Taxes can provide obstacles for farmers who are passing land down to the next generation, and the high price of machinery can lead some farmers to operate with equipment that can’t protect them from rollovers. Iowa...
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sets 2026 legislative priorities
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, announces its state policy priorities heading into the 2026 Iowa Legislative Session. These policy priorities focus on protecting private property...
AFBF urges Congress to act on farm economy struggles
The farm economy continues to struggle in 2026, and farm groups are calling on Congress to act. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said many farmers are underwater financially. Glenn said farmers and ranchers are...
Healthy Milk for Kids Act may add $2 billion in dairy demand
The signing of the Healthy Milk for Kids Act by President Trump last week marks a significant change in federal school nutrition policy, restoring whole and two percent milk as options in school meal programs. Supporters say the move aligns federal guidelines with...
