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Leasing and financing options shaping equipment decisions
As equipment markets begin to stabilize, the next question for many farmers is not just what to buy, but how to pay for it. With tighter margins and less available cash on hand, financing decisions are becoming just as important as the equipment itself. Corey Nordhausen with AgDirect says that starts with taking a hard look at cash flow. Nordhausen says that shift in thinking is also changing the role of financing partners, who can help evaluate what makes the most sense for each individual...
Navigating tough decisions on fertilizer this fall
The discussion on fertilizer this fall has put a lot of farmers between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand prices for commodities are low but on the other hand fertilizer prices are elevated. That leaves the grower often wondering if they should cut back on...
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (10-16-25)
As the government shutdown persists, we still don’t have any official export numbers to look at. We can, however, look again at the weekly estimates. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers are still projected to be well above the average. On the...
Falling oil prices should indicate cheaper fuel
For the past several weeks and even several months, oil prices have held fairly steady, remaining in the mid-$60 per barrel range. But, thanks to OPEC’s increased production, that trend is no more. Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, said banks...
Secretary Naig announces eight additional abandoned mine land reclamation projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is beginning construction on eight additional abandoned mine land (AML) reclamation projects in southeast Iowa. The eight projects, which represent...
From the mine below to the fields beyond
In our previous story on Nutrien’s Allan Facility, we heard how Environmental Engineer Curtis Ferguson and his team work to protect the land, air, and water surrounding one of Saskatchewan’s largest potash operations. Today, we delve beyond the surface to explore how...
Looking ahead at financing options for 2026
It’s never too early to start thinking about the next crop season already. Vince Restucci, market segment manager with Valent, said farmers can start making next year’s plans as they sit in their combine cabs during harvest. Restucci said many financing programs for...
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Governor Reynolds, ISU, and BioMADE break ground on new $40M biomanufacturing facility
Today, BioMADE, the State of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU), and Iowa State University Research Park celebrated the groundbreaking of a new pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility near Ames, Iowa. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 15,000 sq. ft. multi-user...
Flash sale data shows that China has not made big U.S. purchases yet
Last Friday was the first WASDE report since the end of the government shutdown. While the markets have already from recovered from that report, there is still plenty of information that was released that the markets will continue to look at. Allendale commodity...
What to expect from La Nina weather pattern this winter
It has been over a month since the National Weather Service officially declared the La Nina weather pattern for North America this winter. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a La Nina winter has been the norm in recent years. Rippey describes the winter weather that...
Jay Theiler of Agri Beef Company elected chair of USMEF
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis Friday with election of new officers. Chairing USMEF for the 2025-26 term is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company in Boise,...
Naig: USDA is back and Iowans stayed committed
The federal government is back open following the longest shutdown in United States history. Congress reached an agreement late last week, the President signed it, and agencies have been working their way back to normal ever since. USDA entered the restart period in a...
