Top Stories
Cattle marketplace continues to grind lower
While the grain side of the ag marketplace has seen some price relief in recent days following the most recent USDA reports, soybean purchases by China, and weather premium being priced into the market due to heat concerns, the cattle side of the ag marketplace is a different story. The cattle markets have hit the summer doldrums according to Jim McCormick, co-founder of AgMarket.net. He says that the live cattle market has been trending lower since the end of June. McCormick says that in...
Grains would see cost increases with proposed USTR fees
The proposed actions by the US Trade Representative on foreign-built and foreign-flagged ships entering US ports have raised concerns among farmers. Fees up to $1.5 million on ships arriving at US ports, if the ships are Chinese, built, operated or flagged would hit...
Secretary Naig Presents 2025 Ag Leader Awards
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig this week recognized three organizations and one business that have made exceptional contributions to the continued success of Iowa agriculture. The honorees received awards during the 13th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on...
Secretary Rollins talks trade at Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made her inaugural visit to Iowa on Monday, engaging with local farmers and agricultural leaders throughout the state. Her tour culminated in a keynote address at the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, where she emphasized the...
March ends like a lamb with mild USDA reports
There’s an old saying that says March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. With today bringing two major USDA reports, it was looking like the month might end more like a lion instead. However, that wasn’t necessarily the case, as both the Quarterly Grain...
Proposed port service fees would hurt red meat exports
The office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) held hearings this week on a proposal to impose a service fee for each U.S. port call of a Chinese-operated ship, or a per-net-ton service fee applied on the ship’s carrying capacity. While they do support the overall...
Recapping the winter weather season
For the most part, the 2024-2025 winter season in Iowa was mild with warmer temperatures and not much precipitation to help replenish soil moisture levels. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the final numbers from the winter months of December, January, and...
Video
More Ag News
Big Beautiful Bill receives final approval from U.S. House
President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill is done and headed the Independence Day signing that he was looking for. After a lengthy process, farmers will now get updated reference prices; improved crop insurance, livestock, and trade programs; and key tax breaks. House...
Grassley says reconciliation bill contains “key wins for farmers”
On Thursday the United States House of Representatives passed the reconciliation bill by a vote of 218-214. The bill was unchanged from the Senate’s version which passed earlier in the week. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) opened his weekly conference call...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-3-25)
The latest U.S. Export Sales Report had good numbers for both corn and soybeans as we head into an extended holiday weekend. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers might look lower, but they’re still performing better than the average. McBride...
Family farmers don’t get much independence on July Fourth
As Americans fire up their grills on Independence Day, the National Farmers Union highlights how little independence family farmers have in the marketplace. The “Farmers’ Share of the Food Dollar,” released this week, highlights how little family farmers earn compared...
Hogs also at risk in screwworm battle
The USDA has announced plans to reopen the southern border to cattle and bison imports in a phased approach, signaling progress in the effort to control the New World Screwworm threat. This move comes as positive news for the livestock industry, particularly cattle...
