Top Stories
New Renewable Fuel Standard volumes spurring industry growth
The Environmental Protection Agency's new Renewable Fuel Standard volumes are giving the biodiesel industry a significant boost. The agency raised biomass-based diesel obligations to levels the industry says more accurately reflect production capacity. Paul Winters, Clean Fuels Alliance director of public affairs, said the higher volumes are already helping idle plants restart, which is encouraging new investments and creating stronger demand throughout the agricultural economy. The new rule...
July 2025 brought historic rainfall to Iowa
After experiencing an already wet month in June, history would suggest that July would back off on the faucets a little bit. That was not the case this year, though, as Iowa experienced the second wettest July on record. Dr. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for...
USMEF applauds confirmation of new USDA Undersecretary for Trade
On Saturday evening, the U.S. Senate confirmed Luke Lindberg as USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs on a vote of 77-18. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said there was strong bipartisan support in the...
USDA says farmland values up, cash rents stable
USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says that USDA’s annual snapshot of farmland value and cash rents shows a slowdown in year over year growth. He expands on land values when breaking down the numbers for cropland and pasture values. Farm real estate value by state...
Secretary Naig announces start of construction on Middle Cedar watershed project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that construction is starting on a “batch and build” water quality project in Tama and Grundy Counties. This project, led by Heartland Co-op, will include the installation of 14 saturated buffers and four...
Precision spraying expands on Iowa farm acres
Farmers and custom applicators are finding that using a mix of equipment is key to keeping up with the demands of modern crop management. For operations across Iowa, combining Hagie’s front-mounted boom sprayers with John Deere machines outfitted with See & Spray...
Taking a look at A-Frame Acres in southwest Iowa
When it comes to raising pigs, giving them plenty of space can be an effective method of promoting herd health. If you can keep your pigs happy and healthy, you’ll end up with an even better product. That’s the goal of A-Frame Acres down in southwest Iowa, where...
Video
More Ag News
Looking ahead at financing options for 2026
It’s never too early to start thinking about the next crop season already. Vince Restucci, market segment manager with Valent, said farmers can start making next year’s plans as they sit in their combine cabs during harvest. Restucci said many financing programs for...
Grassley not optimistic for soybeans at Trump-Xi meeting
Longtime United States Senator and farmer Chuck Grassley is not optimistic that the upcoming meeting between President Trump and China’s Xi Jinping will reach a satisfactory conclusion on soybeans. The two presidents are set to meet at the upcoming Asia-Pacific...
Farmers are still flying blind in the ag economy
As harvest rolls on, farmers are flying blind when it comes to the ag economy. On top of the government shutdown, the lack of a new farm bill makes much of the future uncertain as well. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said farmers are missing out on several resources...
Study shows ag exports faltering
The U.S. has traditionally had a healthy agricultural trade surplus for years. As global dynamics change due to multiple political and economic factors, U.S. agricultural imports now exceed exports. A new study says the deficit is likely to get worse in the years...
Efficiency without reward in today’s dairy markets
Trying to make sense of today’s dairy markets might feel like trying to churn butter with a whisk. You can put in the effort, but the results may not make much sense. After a short stretch of stronger prices that gave producers a little breathing room, milk values...
