Top Stories
U.S. pork exports to Japan show strong rebound
Exports of U.S. pork to Japan have shown an impressive rebound in 2026. The market has faced challenges such as high energy costs and a weak yen against the U.S. dollar, but some value sectors have increasingly relied on U.S. pork loin and pork butt. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said those value sectors include ramen noodle chains and bento box companies. Halstrom says that Japan’s refusal to recognize Spain’s African swine fever regionalization has kept Spanish pork out of the...
Keep an eye out for crop pests as pollination approaches
As we approach the critical pollination window for corn and soybeans, it’s important to make sure your crops are as healthy as they can be. That means crop scouting is especially important in order to keep diseases and pests at bay. Lance Goettsch, DEKALB Asgrow...
Grassley discusses SNAP state cost-share and reconciliation bill
The Senate parliamentarian who ensures that legislative rules and procedure are being followed in the chamber has ruled against a key funding provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful tax and spending bill. Elizabeth MacDonough says the SNAP state cost share...
Hoover Building is the new home of IDALS
As of July 1, 2025, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will call the Hoover State Office Building home. After more than four decades in the Henry A. Wallace State Office Building, the Department will depart the building at the end of June. The...
Pork finds wins and worries in MAHA report (Part 2)
In Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Ashley Johnson of the National Pork Producers Council, we looked at the pork industry's positives and concerns about the recently released MAHA report. While the science behind meat’s role in a healthy diet was reaffirmed,...
Secretary Rollins discusses efforts to boost soy exports amid tariff uncertainty
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says despite the trade uncertainty from President Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs, USDA is working to increase US farm exports, including soybeans. When the top House Ag Democrat asked at an oversight hearing what USDA was doing to boost...
U.S. headed toward record ag trade deficit
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is widening in 2025, driven by shifting global trade dynamics and rising import demand. USDA’s Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report provides projections for exports and imports, offering insight into current trade trends. From...
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More Ag News
Proper hybrid selection is vital to a successful crop year
When it comes to mitigating risk for a given crop season, proper hybrid selection is key. AgriGold Agronomist Steve Schany said they have a highly diverse seed portfolio, so producers can more easily pick a specific hybrid that works for their farm. Schany said there...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-11-25)
With the end of the old crop marketing year, this week’s export sales were a little deceiving at first glance. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said corn sales were good this week, but they were slightly inflated by old crop carryover. It was a similar story...
Grassley says he will push for year-round E15 in defense bill
The ethanol industry says that year-round E15 is a national security issue and belongs in the annual defense bill which is now before Congress. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that he supports year-round E15 as part of the bill and he has others in...
60 Choose Iowa members to welcome guests for the Choose Iowa farm open house
Sixty Choose Iowa members from across Iowa will welcome guests on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, for the first ever Choose Iowa Farm Open House. Interactive Map: All Statewide Stops Iowans and tourists visiting our state are invited to discover the state’s rich...
Nitrogen response clear, profitability still the question
Few inputs carry more weight in corn production than nitrogen. It fuels yield potential, but it also drains farm budgets at a time when fertilizer prices remain elevated. Ongoing research is helping to refine our understanding, confirming long-held practices while...
