Top Stories
Strong hog prices mean producers can improve their operations
The swine industry is much stronger in 2026 than it has been in recent years, and that means producers are able to invest back into their farms and create more long-term benefits. Val Weis, commercial lending officer with Farm Credit Services of America, said farmers are enjoying higher price points. Weis said there are a couple things that producers can do with their swine herds to protect them from excessive disease and increase their return on investment. The strong swine economy can...
Gaining an understanding of SCN biology
We talk extensively about Soybean Cyst Nematodes, and there is a good reason. They are a fast-moving pest located in all 99 counties in Iowa. Iowa is one of only two states in the U.S. with populations in every county. The other is Illinois. So, what else can we learn...
Cold air blasts across the state
After some warmer temperatures, a blast of cold wind hit the state. It seems that the switch to winter may be upon us already, as those cold temperatures are projected to stick around for a while. Fortunately, it looks like the precipitation will stick around as well....
U.S. Export Sales Report (11-21-24)
While global demand looks like it might start to shift soon, the USDA released another positive export sales report this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. Flash sales were predicted to potentially fall off, but McBride...
Ag experts agree new farm bill not likely until new Congress
Ag experts agree that a new farm bill is now unlikely until next year when the new Congress is in session. Leadership elections have been held in Congress, but lawmakers have a lot of non-farm bill related work left to complete including the annual defense bill. John...
AFBF Thanksgiving survey shows dinner cost declined from 2023
Cooking a Thanksgiving dinner this year for friends and family will cost less than last year but is still more expensive than before COVID-19. The 39th annual Thanksgiving dinner survey shows the cost of this year’s classic holiday feast for ten people is $58.08 or...
Talking with the EPA Part 2
Yesterday, we started a conversation with Venus Welch-White, Acting Director of the EPA Office of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OARA). We talked about the Endangered Species Act, the power of the courts with the EPA, and more. Today we will continue that conversation...
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More Ag News
Using corn seed traits to manage pest issues
Disease, pest, and weed pressure get stronger every year, so it’s important to have new seed traits that can better handle those problems. The corn lineup at Pioneer is currently going through some changes to make sure that farmers will have enough tools in their...
Forecasts for soybean world supplies and soybean oil and meal
USDA will release the prospective plantings report on March 31st and will give the first glimpse into what to expect for acreage numbers this planting season. The industry expectation is that there will be a shift of acres from soybeans to corn. However, USDA grains...
USDA expediting direct help for producers
On National Ag Day, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said the agency is issuing up to $10 billion directly to ag producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program for the 2024 crop year. ECAP will help agricultural producers mitigate the impacts of increased...
U.S. milk industry projected to see modest growth in 2025
What are USDA’s projections for the American dairy industry in the coming year? At this year's Ag Outlook Forum, USDA dairy analyst Peyton Ferrier said the industry might see modest growth. When it comes to price projections for the year ahead, Ferrier said prices for...
Earth Optics’ Predictive Ag Report promises a deep dive into ag data
Advancements in precision agriculture, data collection, and soil sampling are revolutionizing how farmers understand and manage their land. With cutting-edge technology providing unprecedented insights, farmers of all sizes can make more informed decisions to boost...
