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China agrees to $17 billion in ag purchases
China has agreed to purchase at least $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028. That’s according to a White House fact sheet released Sunday following President Donald Trump’s visit to Beijing. The agreement came after meetings between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping and represents one of the few concrete outcomes from the summit Trump previously described as a “monumental event.” The White House said the new commitments are in addition to an earlier agreement...
New 2026 Hagie sprayers roll off line
The 2026 Hagie STS sprayers are officially here, rolling off the line just yesterday morning at the company’s Clarion, Iowa plant. The new lineup features a series of updates designed to improve comfort, efficiency, and performance. Hagie says these changes were made...
World’s first large-scale renewable butanediol starts production in Iowa
QORE, a joint venture between Cargill and German-based chemical company HELM, officially started the production of its newest product- QIRA- in Eddyville, Iowa. QIRA is the world's first large-scale renewable butanediol (BDO), which is made from locally grown yellow...
Grassley urges tariff flexibility with fertilizer costs climbing
Fertilizer to grain cost ratios are hitting historic levels and leading to calls for the White House to help protect farmers with flexibility on fertilizer tariffs. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says fertilizer costs are burdening Iowa’s farmers....
AFBF seeking nominations for Farm Dog of the Year
The American Farm Bureau Federation, in cooperation with Nestlé Purina PetCare, is looking for the country’s best four-legged farmhand. Terri Moore, vice president of communications for AFBF, said the Farm Dog of the Year contest is a unique opportunity to showcase...
Beef prices hit record highs in June
Ground beef prices continue hitting record-high levels. Newsweek says that’s despite still shrinking cattle herds and import restrictions set to push costs even higher. Government data says the average price of a pound of 100 percent ground beef rose to $6.12 in June,...
Iowa crops blessed so far, challenges loom
The 2025 growing season has brought a mix of promise and uncertainty to Iowa's farmlands. After years of drought conditions, this year’s plentiful rains have blessed the crops with lush growth, particularly across much of the Corn Belt. However, while the green fields...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-19-25)
Corn and soybean exports continue to go down two opposite paths, as corn sales are performing admirably while soybeans lag behind. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest corn numbers from the USDA. While this week’s numbers weren’t awful...
Thune says farm disaster aid threatened by shutdown
There is another impasse in Washington D.C. as Senate leaders blame each other for a possible October 1st government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader John Thune says that Democratic leaders have opposed a partisan shutdown in the past. However, Senate Minority Leader...
Farmers report grim economic outlook
An overwhelming majority of corn growers from across the United States say that the nation’s farm economy is possibly already in a crisis or on the brink of one, according to a new survey released by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). “Farmers are in a lot...
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act provides nutrition and choice
The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs play an important role in promoting the consumption of healthy foods, including dairy. However, school meal rules that have been in effect since 2012 only allow 1% and fat-free milk options. Miquela Hanselman, Director...
GROWMARK experts preparing Iowa producers for harvest energy needs
As farmers prepare for harvest, propane supply looks solid while diesel availability could pose challenges. Jay Christie, energy development specialist for New Century FS, says the fall energy outlook offers both stability and concern depending on the fuel in...
