Top Stories
Drought coverage shrinking across most of the U.S
Spring and early summer rainfall has helped to shrink the drought coverage area in the United States. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the U.S. Drought Monitor looks vastly different as of July 7th compared to the drought monitor maps of April 2026. The areas of D3 and D4 (extreme and exceptional) drought categories are also shrinking, although Rippey says only some of the regions with those designations have seen improvement. The Great Plains is one of the regions that has benefited from...
NASDA remains focused on new farm bill
With tariffs and trade news dominating the ag headlines in recent weeks it might feel like the passage of a new five-year farm bill has been moved to the back burner. However, that is not the case for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. RJ...
Flows increasing on Missouri River for navigation support
The updated 2025 calendar year runoff forecast for the Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa, continues to be below average. February runoff in the Basin above Sioux City was one million acre-feet, 91 percent of the average. “Runoff in the reservoir system was...
Bridgestone Tires: built for the field, ready for the road
As farms continue to expand and spread out, farmers spend more time on the road traveling between fields. This means their equipment needs to handle both the demands of fieldwork and the increased wear of highway miles. Durable, high-performing tires are essential to...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-6-25)
Despite the tariff news weighing in on the ag marketplace, the export sales this week came withing expectations, which is better than what we have been seeing recently. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said it was a great week for corn. While the soybean...
Ag economy has been trending below growth neutral
A monthly survey of bank CEOs in 10 Midwestern states shows a dismal outlook. The report shows the February score fell to 38 on a zero to 100 scale, where 50 is growth neutral. This is the seventeenth time the score has been below growth neutral in the past eighteen...
Cattlemen waiting to see the impact of tariffs on bottom lines
As the tariff back-and-forth continues between the United States and some of its most important ag trade partners various ag groups are intently watching for the effects on producers’ bottom lines. Buck Wehrbein, president of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association,...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-12-25)
This week’s export sales had some very nice numbers, but much of that was ignored with the recent announcements from the EPA. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales from the USDA. McBride said there could be some beneficial...
Iowa Biodiesel Board pleased with biomass-based diesel volumes from EPA
Following the Environmental Protection Agency’s release of the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027, ag and biofuel groups are publishing their reactions to the proposed volumes. Grant Kimberley, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board...
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...
