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South American Weather and Crop Update (4-28-26)
The weather in Brazil is continuing to dry out, which is causing concerns as the crops go through the critical pollination phase. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said harvest is slowly getting underway in Argentina, and while some of the progress is lagging behind, there aren’t any major concerns yet. McBride said there could be some slight adjustments to the South American crop around the next WASDE report if...
Demand and value of farmland remains strong
Farmland values and demand remain strong. Farmland values across the country climbed this year and hit record levels despite challenges like rising interest rates and extreme weather according to recently released data from the federal government. The USDA’s annual...
Barge freight rates climb on lower water levels
The cost of transporting harvested commodities down the Mississippi River is climbing. The rates are rapidly rising as shrinking water levels drive barge freight rates higher. The forecast calling for below-average rainfall isn’t offering any relief. Bloomberg says...
Did the Hurricane Idalia help the ag situation in the southeast?
When you get the chance to chat with some of your fellow farm broadcasters at one time or another, you always learn a little something that is happening in their neck of the woods. It always helps to put all the pieces together in our outlook for how the year is going...
AFB says WTO needed to rule against China ag tariffs
An American Farm Bureau official says even if it is tough getting China to comply with a WTO ruling against its retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports five years ago, it was the right decision. AFBF Trade Advisor Dave Salmonsen says whether or not China complies, it’s...
CoBank: drought, heat threaten soybean crop at a critical stage
Prolonged drought and record heat are threatening soybean yields in several key growing states across the Midwest. With most of the soybean crop still in the critical pod-setting phase that depends on August moisture, persistent dry conditions are lowering yield...
Telling the story of ag and tractor pulling
Understanding the consumer through his or her own eyes, our end users of the products – the consumers of food of course – and their take on what happens out in the countryside without knowledge of production. You’ll generally find Kyle Jackson, dressed in his famous...
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More Ag News
Effects of the Tyson plant closure on the hog industry
It was announced this week that Tyson plans to shut down another food production facility—this time, a pork production plant in Perry, Iowa. That plant has nearly 1,300 employees and kills about 8,000 head a day. Karl Setzer with Consus Ag Consulting said that, while...
What would return of La Niña weather pattern mean for growers?
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center this week announced that it foresees a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral by April-June 2024 (83% chance), with the odds of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 (62% chance). Typically, the La Niña pattern...
Secretary Naig encourages Iowans to celebrate Iowa ag week
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged all Iowans to celebrate Iowa Ag Week from Sunday, March 17 through Saturday, March 23. The weeklong statewide celebration, which includes National Ag Day on March 19, will highlight the immense importance of...
Some lawmakers believe a Farm Bill is still possible
The Farm Bill question is a hot topic as we have discussed in the past few months. There is a lot of worry and concern that the clock is ticking and both sides of the political spectrum have dug their feet in so hard, that politics is going to affect the biggest piece...
Precision ag tech assisting growers with soil fertility and analysis
In 2024 precision agriculture tools are available for nearly every aspect of row crop farming. These precision ag technology tools have made farms more efficient and sustainable while allowing producers to refine their management practices each year. Soil nutrient...
