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More farmer aid unlikely until after midterm elections
Republican lawmakers are warning that additional farm aid may not reach producers fast enough. Politico reported that Republicans are pushing to attach roughly $11 billion in direct farm assistance to a defense spending package. Payments likely would not arrive until spring of 2027. Lawmakers say delays could lead to more farm closures as producers struggle with low margins, high diesel costs, and economic pressures tied to international conflicts and trade disruptions. Meanwhile, The Hagstrom...
Iowa grown food reaches more school cafeterias
The Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools program is expanding its efforts to connect Iowa schools with locally produced food after a successful pilot program last year. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the program was piloted last year before being made...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-24-26)
A disappointing U.S. export sales report added to the negative tone in the markets as the ag industry waits to hear about the U.S.-China trade meeting. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn exports continue to be behind pace for the new marketing year....
National Pork Board encourages farmers to take care during harvest
Woven into the We Care® Ethical Principles, One Health connects human health, animal health, and the health of the environment. Discussion topics during this week’s National Farm Safety and Health Week fit right into this, including mental well-being as a priority....
Rain makes grain but also halts combines
A stubborn high-pressure ridge has brought excessive moisture to areas of the United States, including the Great Plains and Midwest this summer. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the rain was welcome at first, but too much rain has become a problem in some...
Environmental group sues EPA for dicamba records
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a federal lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency, according to the National Agricultural Law Center. The suit claims the EPA failed to release records the group requested under the Freedom of Information Act about...
Heavy rains reveal both water quality progress and needs
Heavy rains can put Iowa’s water quality challenges under a microscope. When water starts moving across farm fields, erosion and nutrient loss can become much easier to see. But those same conditions can also highlight the progress being made on farms where...
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Farm Crawl opens doors to Iowa agriculture
Fall in Iowa means harvest, football, pumpkin patches, and apple orchards. But it can also be an opportunity to get off the highway, travel some of Iowa’s back roads, and see just how many different products are being produced by farms and small businesses across the...
BW Fusion names new CEO
Dean Williams, an ag industry veteran with over forty years of experience, has been named the new CEO of BW Fusion. With experience leading a wide range of ag businesses, Williams said he is excited to bring the company into its next phase of growth in biological crop...
Examining record corn exports
Will the 2026-27 commodity marketing year produce another record for U.S. corn exports? The 2025-2026 marketing year was a record year for U.S. corn exports and USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez was asked recently if the 26-27 marketing year can follow that trend....
U.S.-China summit leaves key agricultural trade issues unresolved
U.S. farmers are awaiting more details on agricultural trade after President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping concluded talks Thursday without announcing a broader trade agreement. Reuters reports the countries extended their existing trade truce by two...
Diesel prices remain high as harvest gets underway
Diesel prices continue climbing, leaving farmers wondering how long this will continue. Crude oil prices have shown signs of easing, but diesel prices are not following suit, putting even more pressure on the farm economy. Faith Parum, an economist for the American...
