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Lending a trusted ear to farmer mental health struggles
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and that’s especially important in rural areas, where suicide rates are roughly 1.5 times higher than urban areas. A lack of rural mental health care options and a negative stigma against discussing mental health have contributed heavily to this issue. Fortunately, a new project in the Midwest is aiming to make it easier to access mental health care and to talk about mental health struggles. Easton Kuboushek, lead volunteer with Farm Dog, said he...
What to expect in the Prospective Plantings Report
The 2026 USDA Prospective Plantings Report is scheduled for release on Tuesday March 31st. The report surveys farmer planting intentions for major crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and more. This report gives us the first real snapshot of what planted acreage...
Searching for Iowa’s Best Burger
For those searching for the best burger in Iowa, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are making the quest easier as they announce the top 10 finalists in the 17th annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. More than 350 restaurants were...
2025 saw almost record volume and value for pork exports
2025 proved to be another strong year for U.S. pork exports, with a volume of 2.9 million metric tons. This is three percent shy of the 2024 record, but it was still the third highest on record. Value was three percent down from 2024’s record but the second highest...
Understanding soil variability can improve crop management
Understanding what is happening below the soil surface can help farmers make more precise agronomic decisions and better target their input investments. New tools are allowing growers and agronomists to collect more detailed soil data that can reveal variability...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-12-26)
Once again, the export sales for corn and soybeans tell two different stories. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales had yet another strong week. Soybeans, on the other hand, have seen disappointing sales in four of the last five weeks. However,...
45z tax credit is almost across the finish line
The public comment period on the 45z tax credit proposal is ending on April 5th. Since this legislation has been in the works for so long, it’s incredibly important for producers to speak up on what they want to see in it. Mitchell Hora, founder of Continuum Ag, said...
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More Ag News
Whey protein boom is redefining dairy market dynamics
The boom in demand for whey protein is reshaping the economics of the U.S. dairy industry. While it does introduce plenty of new opportunities for revenue, it also creates a few new risks for dairy producers. Fred Hall, Northwest Iowa Extension Dairy Specialist, said...
Maximizing the efficiency of nitrogen applications
Crop production in 2026 is defined by one theme: input efficiency. With tighter margins and fluctuating commodity prices, growers are looking for ways to make every input count, especially nitrogen. Cody Hornaday, a technical agronomist for Koch Agronomic Services,...
SAF industry attempting to lay foundation for long-term success
The Sustainable Aviation Fuel Coalition represents more than 50 members across the entire value chain, including farmers, producers, and industry partners. Executive Director Allison Graab says that the coalition is attempting to promote SAF to federal lawmakers while...
Boozman: farm bill markup only weeks away
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill returned from the Easter recess with growing optimism that a new five-year farm bill could soon advance. Agri-Pulse said John Boozman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, signaled progress. The Arkansas Senator said he expects...
Reference price adjustments aim to support farm income
After more than a decade without major updates, reference prices used in federal farm programs are being adjusted, a change that could impact producer revenue moving forward. In an interview with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke...
