Top Stories
Grassley says modern economy better able to handle tariffs, wary of uncertainty
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the modern economy is better suited to handle the current trade war but is still wary of the uncertainty brought on by ever changing tariffs. He says the economy today is better able to handle tariff shocks than the U.S. economy of the early 20th century. Senator Grassley is consistently vocal in calling himself a “free trader” but has softened his stance from earlier in the spring when tariffs were first announced by President Trump. The...
Argentinian farmers may hold on to their corn for better profits
The South American corn crop is all but harvested in both Brazil and neighboring Argentina. The Argentine corn crop in particular was 98 percent harvested a week ago. Dr. Michael Cordonnier, an agronomist with Soybean and Corn Advisors, Inc., said the big question...
Tour wraps up with Iowa surprising many scouts
The 30th Pro Farmer Crop Tour is in the books. The East & West wrapped up Iowa and Minnesota before meeting in Rochester, MN. As with the western leg on Wednesday, Thursday?s Eastern leg travels came through the eastern two-thirds of Iowa. And much to the surprise of...
U.S. Drought Monitor is status quo for Iowa once again
The U.S. Drought Monitor didn?t show any significant changes in drought conditions this week for Iowa, which is both a good and bad thing. On one hand, it?s nice that nothing got worse, but, on the other hand, we really need to see these drought conditions start to...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-25-22)
This week?s report was certainly an interesting one. Since the USDA is switching over to a new reporting system, the numbers were a bit confusing. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride they?re not quite sure what to do with the numbers yet, but, as of right now,...
Creighton University economics study shows downward rural trend continues
The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index fell in August to a reading of 44, six points below growth neutral.Dr. Ernie Goss regional economist and economics professor at Creighton University, says this has been a continuation of an economic downward trend.An...
Fertilizer institute hopes for quick rail-labor union contract settlement
The Fertilizer Institute is grateful to members of the Presidential Emergency Board who listened to rail carriers and their labor unions amid their contract negotiations. The PEB offered measured recommendations on a pending contract agreement between the two. Both...
Video
More Ag News
Getting ahead of the weed tipping point
Sometimes lessons must be learned the hard way. We are discovering that more and more when it comes to weed control in our fields. Sometimes we don?t fully understand the tools we are using, sometimes real-world results change as the species adapt. No matter what...
Grassley not confident EPA will issue waiver for summer E15 sales
On Sunday the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies or OPEC+ announced that it will cut oil production by 1.16 million barrels per day. On Monday morning during his weekly conference call with ag broadcasters and reporters, United States Senator...
March exited like a lion with severe weather outbreaks
The drought monitor has seen a slight improvement due to precipitation from the spring weather. Unfortunately, some of that precipitation has come in the form of severe weather, which can bring as much harm as it does good. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan...
U.S. red meat exports contributing to corn and soybean value
Corn used for feed to support U.S. red meat exports contributed to 15% of overall corn value in 2022 according to an annual study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc., on behalf of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Dave Juday, World Perspectives senior...
Holding old crop grain could be playing with fire
The Planting Intentions and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports are out, and the numbers were pretty close to what we were expecting to see; more corn acres being planted. Of course, prices are decent, and we hear that a lot. But, if you are holding grain in the bin and...
