Top Stories
China honoring trade agreement and purchasing U.S. grain
The markets have been trending upward during this shortened trading week. After a rough start to the month, some recent headlines have given the corn and soybeans something to work with. Michael Weidner, director of grain origination and producer strategy at Landus Cooperative, said recent flash sales may be indicating that China will hold up its end of the trade agreement. Weidner said these purchases are a great starting point for the deal, which will continue through harvest this fall....
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-22-24)
Export sales were better than expected this week, potentially in part due to the lower grain prices we are experiencing right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. Flash sales in particular have seen increased activity due...
USDA chief economist says farmland values rise, questions strength
USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says farmland values continue to rise year-over-year, but questions land value strength amid changing economic conditions on the farm. Or as Meyer says, an increase of $200 an acre, rising to $4 on average for crop and pastureland…...
Soy growers wary of EPA herbicide strategy
American soybean growers are worried about the feasibility of implementation and the impacts of the Environmental Protection Agency’s final Endangered Species Act Herbicide Strategy. Josh Gackle, president of the American Soybean Association, says while there are...
Soy checkoff & State organizations make investment in PNW Soy Meal Port
Earlier this week we talked about the work being done by the beef checkoff to invest dollars into continuing education. The soybean checkoff is also investing in the marketability of the soybeans that we grow. Recently a group led by the United Soybean Board (USB),...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour saw lower day one results than last year
The results from the first day of Pro-Farmer’s annual Midwest Crop Tour are lower than last year. About a thousand scouts- including our own Andy Petersen- headed out into Midwestern corn and soybean fields on Monday to objectively determine the final projections....
Many fields in southwest Iowa are looking outstanding
With some pretty cooperative weather during pollination, the fields in southwest Iowa are mostly looking great as we approach the end of the crop year. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said that, while some areas could use some rain, he’s very pleased with...
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More Ag News
2024 A year without ag market shocks
Compared to the past four years, 2024 lacked a singular event causing shocks in the farm market and farm prices, according to USDA’s Chief Economist Seth Meyer. Meyer says that led to a relatively quiet market year in terms of market shocks. While there was not one...
NCBA President looks ahead to new administration
As he prepares to move back into the White House in Washington, D.C., Republican President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his Secretary of Agriculture. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Mark Eisele said he...
Iowa cattle producers are making their voices heard
Winter is a season that is often full of meetings in the ag industry, as it is generally a good time to plan out the next year. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association held its annual convention in Ames last month, where members gathered to discuss and vote on their policy...
List of state crop assistance payments
In addition to a farm bill extension through September 30, the American Relief Act of 2025, recently passed by Congress, contains $9.8 billion in market relief payments for 20 covered crops. This economic assistance is intended to offset part of the economic loss...
Consumers aren’t just looking at price as the main purchasing factor
Last week, we talked about the challenges that are involved in helping producers of pork products understand the sometimes volatile relationship between the supply and demand sides of the industry. In that conversation with Glynn Tonsor, an economics professor at...
