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Ag economy barometer drops in May
The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dropped in May. Michael Langemeier, director of Purdue University’s Center for Commercial Agriculture, talked about the decline. Farmers appeared to be deeply concerned about current conditions. Langemeier said caution is also showing up in investment behavior. Breakeven prices are expected to climb in 2026. About two-thirds of producers in the survey say they expect war in Iran to impact their bottom lines this...
Fertilizer price probe opens as farm margins tighten
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an industrywide investigation into fertilizer prices after sharp increases during spring planting. Reuters reported that FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency is using civil investigative demands to gather documents and...
USMEF says African Growth and Opportunity Act could help create trade access
The Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), which was created to incentivize two-way trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan African countries, allows the president to offer duty-free access to certain nations. However, some of the countries benefitting from AGOA...
Interior official highlights ranchers’ stewardship role
When I was in Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several issues affecting western livestock producers. One topic that generated significant discussion was...
Grain markets could see another price rally in June
After making recent highs, the corn and soybeans prices have been somewhat in the red, leading some farmers to wonder if they missed out on potential profits. However, they may have another chance to take advantage of a price rally. Micheal Weidner, director of grain...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-29-26)
This week’s export sales were on the lower end for both corn and soybeans. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales are still at elevated levels. McBride said that the soybean sales, on the other hand, are still lagging behind. McBride said...
Domestic food trade shows open foreign market opportunities
A recent food trade show in Chicago illustrates the importance of such events in promoting U.S. farm and food goods to customers from across the globe. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says that there are other ways to...
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More Ag News
Examining demand concerns heading into the summer grilling season
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the summer grilling season and with the grills firing up around the country questions about meat demand are lingering. With meat prices at the store at lofty levels and beef prices reaching record highs, will consumers have...
Trump cuts tariffs on ag equipment to 15 percent
President Donald Trump has announced tariff reductions on certain agricultural and industrial equipment, a move that could help ease some cost pressures facing farmers and machinery dealers. Under a new proclamation, tariffs on products like harvesters, bulldozers,...
Interior touts grazing’s conservation benefits
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to hear from Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several issues affecting western ranchers and public lands. One topic that generated considerable...
Corn farmers looking out for tar spot and southern rust in 2026
Iowa farmers are always on the lookout for disease issues, but there are two diseases from 2025 that have farmers the most alert: tar spot and southern rust. Last year, these two diseases popped up in unexpected areas around the country, causing some of the highest...
Governor Reynolds signs pair of ag bills, including Iowa Farm Act
On Monday Governor Kim Reynolds signed Iowa House File 2771, featuring the Farm to Faucet Water Quality package, and Senate File 2465, also known as the Iowa Farm Act, at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. House File 2771 is primarily the state’s fiscal year 2027...
