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FFA grows as Iowa students return to school
As many Iowa students return to the classroom this week, FFA is beginning another school year with continued growth both in Iowa and across the country. National FFA recently wrapped up its latest membership year with more than one million members nationwide. National FFA CEO Scott Stump says much of that growth is being driven by new chapters and communities gaining access to agricultural education and FFA. Stump says Iowa is part of that growth, with two new communities gaining access to FFA...
Farmers still struggling to find enough farm labor
Finding enough labor to get the work done on the farm and navigating the regulations for the workforce have become increasingly troublesome in recent years. Mike Stranz, Vice President of Advocacy for the National Farmers Union, said reform is more important now than...
Iowa Farm Bureau members gather for 107th annual meeting
Iowa Farm Bureau members gathered in Des Moines to connect, learn, and celebrate Iowa agriculture. It’s been an eventful year for the Iowa ag industry, which made for plenty of insightful discussions. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson said profitability was one...
Trump discusses year-round E15, addresses farm input costs
President Trump this week discussed the importance of year-round E15 for America’s farmers and the potential for more domestic production of fertilizer. During the President’s farm aid announcement at the White House, the topic of year-round E15 was brought up....
How will food prices affect holiday meals in 2025?
The holidays bring large increases in food spending for both food at home and food away from home. Consumers’ decisions during this season can have important implications for farmers and ranchers. Farmdoc, at the University of Illinois, said persistent inflation has...
Farmers see stronger results from Deere autonomous tillage
Autonomous technology has been one of the most talked about advancements in production agriculture over the past few years, but 2025 was the first season when many farmers were able to see it working at scale. Labor was tight, weather windows were narrow, and every...
AFBF advocates for continued China trade discussions
The trade relationship between the U.S. and China remains critically important for American agriculture. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there has been some progress between the two nations recently....
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More Ag News
Data tells the sustainability story
Hog producers strive to raise pigs in a way that produces healthier pigs, healthier people, and a healthier planet every day. However, if producers cannot demonstrate results through data and measurable metrics it is hard to pass that message on to the supply chain,...
House Ag Chair wants farm bill 2.0 in February
GT Thompson, the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has tentatively set a farm bill markup for the week of February 23. Politico said that’s according to three sources familiar with Thompson’s plans. While the formal text of his farm bill has yet to be...
Cash flow pressures reshape equipment decisions on Iowa farms
Tight margins continue to shape decision-making on farms across Iowa. While disease pressure still plays a role, commodity prices and cash flow have become the dominant concerns for many producers, especially when it comes to equipment purchases. Those pressures are...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-29-26)
This week’s export sales report brings us to an interesting situation- now that the numbers are aligned with the USDA’s export goals, there isn’t much news to react to. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this was another great week for corn sales. McBride...
Young farmers and ranchers have a unique leadership opportunity
Young farmers and ranchers should mark their calendars for March 13–16 for the upcoming Young Farmer and Rancher Leadership Conference. Bev Flatt, a Tennessee farmer and member of the American Farm Bureau’s YF&R Committee, said attendees will have a lot to look...
