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Risk Management Agency giving farmers more time to pay
USDA is giving farmers more time to pay their crop insurance bills. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) is authorizing Approved Insurance Providers to give producers up to 60 additional days to pay crop insurance premiums, administrative fees, and other amounts with billing dates between July 1st and September 30th. RMA Administrator Pat Swanson says this initiative aims to give producers some breathing room in an already challenging year. Swanson says the payment flexibility comes as producers...
China holding off on Brazil soybean purchases
High premiums on Brazilian cargoes are discouraging soybean buyers in China, which means the country has yet to secure much of its needed soybean supply for December and January. Reuters says the development could prompt the Chinese government to tap state reserves to...
Navigating tough decisions on fertilizer this fall
The discussion on fertilizer this fall has put a lot of farmers between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand prices for commodities are low but on the other hand fertilizer prices are elevated. That leaves the grower often wondering if they should cut back on...
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (10-16-25)
As the government shutdown persists, we still don’t have any official export numbers to look at. We can, however, look again at the weekly estimates. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are still projected to be well above the average. On the...
Falling oil prices should indicate cheaper fuel
For the past several weeks and even several months, oil prices have held fairly steady, remaining in the mid-$60 per barrel range. But, thanks to OPEC’s increased production, that trend is no more. Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, said banks...
Secretary Naig announces eight additional abandoned mine land reclamation projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is beginning construction on eight additional abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation projects in southeast Iowa. The eight projects, which represent...
From the mine below to the fields beyond
In our previous story on Nutrien’s Allan Facility, we heard how Environmental Engineer Curtis Ferguson and his team work to protect the land, air, and water surrounding one of Saskatchewan’s largest potash operations. Today, we delve beyond the surface to explore how...
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Syngenta’s PLINAZOLIN technology receives EPA registration
Syngenta recently announced that PLINAZOLIN technology- the latest insect control tool- received official registration from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The technology is now available for use, subject to state approvals. PLINAZOLIN technology powers...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-16-25)
As the markets start to focus more on the weather in South America, farmers are just finishing planting the next crops. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there is a good amount of dryness in the forecast for Brazil. McBride said the conditions are similar...
Grassley discusses hurdles to farm labor reform efforts
Farm labor reform remains one of the big topics in the agricultural sector but that doesn’t mean that changes to the system will come easily. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked on Tuesday if he will be involved in any efforts to reform the H-2A...
2025 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance awards
The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) celebrated four outstanding Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) award recipients during the 2025 Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, held Tuesday, December 16, at the Prairie Meadows Convention Center. The awards ceremony recognized cattle...
AMVAC expands options for managing corn rootworm
As growers begin looking ahead to the next season, many of the same questions remain front and center. How do you manage risk, protect yield, and stay ahead of pests that seem to adapt year after year. At the same time, there is no shortage of new tools and...
