Top Stories
White mold – the invisible soybean killer
Planting season will be over before we know it, and, unfortunately, that means plant diseases need to be a top priority for farmers to keep track of. In 2024 alone, white mold cost soybean farmers an estimated $281.1 million in yield losses, and the management window for this disease is shorter than many farmers realize. Ken Deibert, technical services representative with BASF, said white mold starts at flowering. Since the disease starts off invisibly, Deibert said farmers can’t wait until...
Feenstra says year-round E15 has strong bipartisan support
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives was able to pass legislation that would allow E15 to permanently be sold year-round. By unleashing ethanol production, demand for corn can increase, fuel prices can go down, and America can become more energy...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-14-26)
This week’s export sales were mostly a repeat of recent trends once again. However, there were a few notable differences. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said old crop corn sales were lacking, but that market has been so strong recently that this is a minor...
Latest Cattle on Feed Report hints at minor herd rebuild
April’s USDA Cattle on Feed Report provided a breakdown of steers and heifers on feed with heifers falling to 37 percent of the total on-feed inventory. Typically, this is the initial signaling of herd rebuilding. ShayLe Stewart, a livestock market analyst with DTN,...
Year-round E15 passes House by the skin of its teeth
After years of delays, temporary waivers, court battles, and political fights, the U.S. House approved nationwide year-round E15 legislation Wednesday evening, though not without another dramatic procedural showdown along the way. The House passed the measure by a 218...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-13-26)
Despite weather concerns for the crops in Brazil, the USDA increased the crop projections for both Brazil and Argentina in the latest WASDE report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said he was expecting to see a cut to the Brazil crop, which is still possible...
Farm Bureau leader sounds alarm on fertilizer prices
As planting season is in full swing across the country, fertilizer prices are burdening farmers and ranchers. Kentucky Farm Bureau president Eddie Melton spoke to the Senate ag committee Tuesday and expressed his concerns. Melton said there are actions Congress can...
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More Ag News
USDA watching western drought, Midwest summer outlook
Summer weather patterns remain difficult to predict heading into the heart of the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says current forecast models continue pointing toward ongoing drought concerns across much of the western United States. Speaking...
Recapping a volatile week in the grain markets
President Trump’s meeting with China President Xi Jinping is over, and, unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like there was much discussion about agriculture. The ag industry was hoping for some official trade deals, but all we’ve seen so far are verbal agreements between...
Stay prepared for natural disasters in farm country
Here in Iowa, tornadoes and other severe weather storms can decimate an area in no time. The same is true for much of the country- in fact, data shows that 90% of US counties have experienced a flood, hurricane, wildfire, or other calamity serious enough to receive a...
USDA soybean oil export outlook raises concerns about market volatility
New USDA projections for soybean oil exports are increasing concerns about price volatility in agricultural markets as demand tied to renewable fuels continues reshaping the soybean sector. Analysts with the University of said the government’s first 2026-27 soybean...
A multi-state focus on specialty crops
Applications are now being accepted for grants from USDA's Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, which is designed to address various concerns and efforts within the specialty crop industry. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Tricia Kovacs provides...
