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Federal farm safety net payments reach record $13.8 billion
Federal farm safety-net payments are expected to reach a record $13.8 billion for the 2025 crop year, reflecting the growing importance of government assistance to American agricultural producers. USDA says payments through the Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage programs will be the largest since Congress established them in the 2014 farm bill. The programs provide financial protection when commodity prices or farm revenues fall below established thresholds. USDA says the...
EPA Proposes restoring biofuel volumes exempted from refinery requirements
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced Tuesday a proposal to restore renewable fuel blending requirements affected by additional small refinery exemptions, a move intended to protect demand for American corn and soybeans. The EPA said exemptions granted for 2025...
John Deere Foundation announces $18.5 million investment in food bank system
Today, the John Deere Foundation announced an $18.5 million multi-year Farm-to-Plate strategy to address food insecurity in the Midwest. The investment will support Feeding America partner food banks, recover farm-grown food, and connect over one hundred Iowa farmers...
AFBF encouraged by progress on Renewable Fuel Standard
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin was in Peosta, Iowa, today to announce a draft rule to reallocate renewable fuel volumes lost through small refinery exemptions. The rule would provide 100 percent reallocation of the renewable fuel volume...
Iowa native takes helm of United Soybean Board
The United Soybean Board has a new leader, and she brings strong Iowa roots to the position. Courtney Knupp, who grew up on a soybean farm in Washington County, Iowa, has taken over as CEO of the national organization. She steps into the role at a time when soybean...
Why milk components matter more than ever
New dairy research is putting a dollar value on a trait many producers have been focusing on for years: milk components. CoBank Dairy Economist Corey Geiger says the difference between top and bottom performing herds can add up to hundreds of dollars per cow annually...
Lawmakers push for reallocation of lost renewable fuel volumes
A bipartisan group of 39 lawmakers is urging the Trump administration to restore renewable fuel volumes lost through small-refinery exemptions under the Renewable Fuel Standard. Representatives Adrian Smith of Nebraska and Nikki Budzinski of Illinois led the effort,...
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Russia-Ukraine war pushing oil prices higher again
Oil prices moved higher at the start of the week, driven primarily by ongoing attacks between Russia and Ukraine. While oil prices inched higher, Patrick DeHaan with Gasbuddy.com noted that fuel prices were more mixed. California currently has the highest national...
Wasted Grain named Iowa’s best breaded pork tenderloin
Wasted Grain in Carroll serves Iowa's best breaded pork tenderloin this year, according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). The restaurant rose to the top of 464 restaurants nominated by Iowans this spring, then beat four other finalists to win IPPA’s 2026...
Record U.S. soybean production means more exports
USDA’s recent record soybean forecast will lead to more soybean exports, according to World Ag Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski. Increased soybean exports from the United States will help to fill the gap globally for declines in production elsewhere says...
Knowing when to keep or replace alfalfa
Dry conditions in some parts of the country during the growing season have taken a toll on alfalfa production, leaving affected farmers wondering whether their stands will survive the winter or if it's time to rotate those fields into another crop. However, reduced...
NFU welcomes federal inquiry into ag equipment market
The National Farmers Union (NFU) is welcoming a new USDA and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) inquiry into competition concerns in the agricultural equipment market. NFU President Rob Larew said farmers have been raising concerns about consolidation and limited...
