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Farm production costs mixed last year, soaring in 2026
Farm production costs were mixed last year but are up significantly in 2026. USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez provides the specifics from 2025. Benevidez says the largest increase occurred in livestock and poultry production. However, the latest farm expenditure report shows crop farm spending dropped more than six-and-a-half percent. The numbers for 2026 paint a much different story. Fertilizer is up year-over-year by five percent for ammonia and up to 37 percent for DAP. Since 2020,...
World Pork Expo hosts second Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet
The second annual Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet was held at this year’s World Pork Expo. The event, which is for young people aged 18-22, has competitors take a deep dive into current pork industry issues and gain an understanding of the National Pork Producers...
ISU CALS News: Change in leadership for CALS Career Services
Plans are in place to continue offering students the high level of support the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office has become known for, following the recent retirement of two long-time employees. Mike Gaul has served as director of CALS...
Bringing together family and farming through innovation and mentorship
At first glance, farming might not seem like a way to strengthen family ties or inspire the next generation, but for Robb Ewoldt, it’s exactly that. As a dedicated Iowan farmer, a Director of the United Soybean Board, and former President of the Iowa Soybean...
June WASDE report overshadowed in commodity markets by EPA news
This month’s WASDE report was mostly neutral, which is what we usually expect from the USDA at this time of year. More will be revealed about the status of this year’s crop at the end of the month. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the old crop corn ending...
Farm transitions are becoming increasingly challenging
The ag industry must do something about the average age of America’s farmers as it keeps rising. The next generation of ag leaders is entering the work force, but we’re not seeing enough of them return to the farm. Chad Hart, agricultural economist at Iowa State...
Another successful Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade concludes in Mount Pleasant
The 26th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade wrapped up on Wednesday with a day three route northeast of Mount Pleasant and a return to Mount Pleasant for lunch and a closing ceremony. Each year a different host city is homebase for the Tractorcade with the Old...
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Consistent soil testing can help detect soybean cyst nematodes
One of the most problematic soybean pests is also one of the most difficult to detect. And once it’s in your field, it’s there for good. Dylan Mangel, SCN Coalition plant pathologist, said farmers need to be alert and take preventative actions against soybean cyst...
Appeals court rules against Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
An appeals court recently ruled against the president’s authority on tariffs. However, the playing field stays the same for now. The Federal Court of Appeals recently decided that President Donald Trump does not have the power to set tariffs on imports based on the...
Grassley to seek more aid for soybean producers
As soybean growers voice their frustrations due to low prices for their crops and rising input prices United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he plans to speak with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins about the need for aid. Grassley says that legislation may be...
Secretary Naig announces inaugural statewide Choose Iowa farm open house
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that Choose Iowa will host its inaugural statewide Choose Iowa Farm Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14. This two-day event coincides with the Iowa Barn Foundation's (IBF) Fall All-State Barn Tour....
Butter prices plunge despite strong export demand
After a brief stretch of optimism, the dairy sector is once again under pressure, with butter prices sliding to their lowest levels since 2021. Just last year, strong demand and high prices gave producers hope that a rebound was underway, but the momentum has quickly...
