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Understanding soil variability can improve crop management
Understanding what is happening below the soil surface can help farmers make more precise agronomic decisions and better target their input investments. New tools are allowing growers and agronomists to collect more detailed soil data that can reveal variability across a field and highlight issues that may limit yield potential. EarthOptics is one company working to provide that kind of insight. Gunnar Bodvarrsson with EarthOptics says the company focuses on gathering detailed soil...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-4-25)
We’re finally seeing the export numbers for the end of October. This timeframe is when President Trump and President Xi agreed on the trade framework for U.S. soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the report confirms that China did make purchases at...
Year-round E15 sales would provide tremendous boost to corn demand
United States farmers are incredibly good at what they do. Not only do they farm sustainably and efficiently but they are finding ways to increase productivity seemingly every growing season. With that increased productivity comes a growing need for market...
Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance visits D.C. to talk USMCA
Members of the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) recently made a trip to Washington, D.C., to talk trade with U.S. officials on Capitol Hill, in the White House, and at USDA. Michael Harvey, executive director of CAFTA, said the upcoming review of the...
U.S. officials to announce short-term “bridge payment” aid for farmers
USDA plans to roll out a short-term “bridge payment” for farmers next week, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to help growers survive tight margins and trade-related losses. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told White House colleagues a key purpose of the payment...
Farmervoicesmatter.org brings real producers into the spotlight
Farmers across the United States are finding themselves pulled deeper into a national conversation about how food is grown and what tools are used to protect the crops that feed America. That spotlight has only grown brighter in 2025 as questions surrounding crop...
Lessons learned from this growing season to be applied next year
Every growing season is like a year spent in the agronomy classroom for growers. Every time a farmer thinks they have seen it all, mother nature finds a way to throw a curveball. This year disease pressure was prevalent throughout the Corn Belt and southern rust was...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-25-25)
The USDA is continuing to get us caught up to the latest export sales figures as a result of the government shutdown earlier this year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the numbers as of December 11th still look great for corn. While the soybean sales have...
Cattle industry reflects on policy wins from 2025
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is wrapping up another busy year in the cattle industry. While there were plenty of struggles to overcome in the past twelve months, there are many victories to celebrate as well. ICA Director of Government Affairs Kelli Wicks said...
Now is the time to finally get E15 year-round
E15 is a part of President Donald Trump’s America First energy plan, and it’s time for Congress to pass legislation to allow for its year-round sale. It’s a common-sense solution that lowers costs and the pump and strengthens America’s energy independence. Growth...
Innovations advancing real Christmas tree popularity
Artificial Christmas trees have risen in popularity over the years but innovations in the real Christmas tree industry in the last decade have provided a surge in popularity for the real deal. Christmas tree grower John Tillman of Washington state says recent...
Naig says farmers use crop protection tools responsibly
As Iowa agriculture looks back on 2025 and ahead to 2026, another major topic that shaped conversation this year was the Make America Healthy Again report, often referred to as MAHA. While the report addressed many issues farmers care about, just like consumers do, it...
