Top Stories
AFBF President offers solutions to Senate Ag Committee
As farmers and ranchers continue to grapple with a difficult farm economy, the Senate Agriculture Committee recently held a hearing to discuss solutions. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall was one of the experts to present testimony before the committee, and he said the time is now to increase demand for homegrown food, fiber, and renewable fuel. Duvall said that there are several other policy levers that Congress can pull to help farmers and ranchers. Duvall said the...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-4-25)
Farmers in South America are in the early stages of their second crop season of the year. So far, the weather has been mostly favorable for planting progress. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said it’s early enough that the markets aren’t too focused on the...
White House still planning billions in farmer trade aid
Three people familiar with the issue say the Trump administration still intends to roll out an initial payment of up to $12 billion for farmers struggling because of the president’s tariff policies. North Dakota Senator John Hoeven said that a program similar to the...
Learning from 2025 to build a better 2026
It’s been one of those Iowa harvests that went smoothly overall, but it gave us a clear look at any shortcomings we had this year. Early planting conditions looked ideal, but as the summer wore on, humidity, storms, and disease pressures really started to challenge...
Scouting crops from inside the combine cab
As harvest continues to wrap up, farmers need to be scouting their fields for what things need to be changed for next year. Fortunately, the combine cab is the perfect mobile office to do this scouting from. Northwest Iowa AgriGold Agronomist Jeff Morey said there are...
Trade developments are encouraging, but more progress is needed with China
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said...
Big week for tariffs and SNAP
It’s a big week for President Trump’s tariffs with the issue set to be addressed in court. The Supreme Court is set to hear challenges to President Trump’s tariffs, brought by small businesses and several states. Critics argue that the 1977 law doesn’t grant the...
Video
More Ag News
Making plans to manage multiple crop threats
Every year, farmers have to deal with many different crop issues, whether it’s pests, diseases, or weeds. Some of these crop threats will even start to impact farmers all at the same time. Dave Hoy, agronomy division manager at LG Seeds, said managing multiple threats...
Midwest governors pushing for year-round E15
Several Midwest Governors collectively called on Congress to pass the Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Fuel Choice Act of 2025. It’s a bill that would allow the year-round, nationwide sale of E15. Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe said the bill has bipartisan support. The...
Market macroeconomics going into 2026
During a presentation at the recent 2025 NAFB National Convention in Kansas City, Global Commodity Analytics President Mike Zuzolo discussed some of the biggest macroeconomic factors affecting the markets going into 2026. Zuzolo says that oversupply of some key...
Naig highlights export potential and challenges in Indonesia
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the second stop of the recent Iowa agricultural trade mission to Southeast Asia highlighted both the opportunities and the hurdles that remain in the Indonesian market. While Vietnam offered immediate expansion potential,...
AFBF study: farmers urgently need economic assistance
USDA’s most recent reports, including Commodity Costs and Returns, World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports, all confirm what U.S. agriculture has known for years. U.S. farm income is under immense pressure. A new...
