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Feenstra says a new farm bill is still possible
The year is 2026, and we are still using the 2018 Farm Bill. After eight years, much of the legislation needs to be updated in order to match the constantly evolving ag industry. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said the process will start again next month in the House Agriculture Committee. One of the top goals in ag legislation is to keep foreign interests from purchasing U.S. farmland, and the Trump administration has been using some policy that Feenstra brought to the table. The Trump...
How will farm bill deliberations play out in 2025?
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is sticking with his prediction of another one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill as Congress runs short on time in 2024. Grassley says that a new five-year farm bill being completed after the elections and during a lame...
Farm Credit System income up seven percent to $5.91 billion
The Farm Credit System reported that combined net income was relatively stable at $1.98 billion for the third quarter of 2024, as compared with $2 billion for the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ending on September 20, 2024, FCS’s combined net income...
Northern Iowa agronomist reviews 24 and previews 25
As harvest wraps up, we are taking stock of what we learned from this year. We are also having to make plans for 2025. With tighter profit margins, farmers have some very tough choices. Dekalb/Asgrow agronomist Rich Judge joins us in this featured conversation.
World Food Prize laureates receive their honor
World Food Prize week in Iowa culminated last Thursday with the award of what is considered the "Nobel Prize of Agriculture.” The laureate awards were awarded to two advocates of plant genetic diversity and global seed banks. World Food Prize Foundation President...
Farm loans soar as ag economy deteriorates
Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017,...
Rural Mainstreet Index showing lackluster results
The economy has been in a weird place. The DOW is strong, the dollar is strong, job numbers seem better than anticipated, and consumers are still paying for what they want. However, buying power is lower because prices are higher. Look no further than your local...
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Ethanol industry confident in new EPA head Lee Zeldin
The ethanol industry is confident that newly confirmed EPA chief Lee Zeldin will be supportive of its top issues. Zeldin, a former New York Representative, has been critical of ethanol in the past, but the industry is confident that will change now that the...
Weak La Nina will continue into February
In December, the weather officially entered into a weak La Nina phase once again. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said there are plenty of recent data points to compare this winter to, as we saw a “triple dip” La Nina from 2020-2022. Glisan said a weak La...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-30-25)
The export sales took a back seat this week after the great numbers we saw in the last report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest U.S. export sales report. McBride said there were only flash sales for corn this week. McBride said the...
Meat Institute strategies to reduce meat prices
The Meat Institute sent a letter to President Donald Trump to provide strategies to reduce burdensome regulations and address meat prices for consumers. The letter included a list of recommended actions for the administration to take, including rescinding the final...
Naig confident that Rollins can do the job at USDA
Before her recent Senate confirmation hearing, Brooke Rollins faced skepticism over her lack of direct agricultural experience but sought to reassure lawmakers by highlighting her rural roots and policy background. Despite initial doubts, her testimony resonated with...
