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Another negative Rural Mainstreet Index during May

Another negative Rural Mainstreet Index during May

The Rural Mainstreet Index continued below growth neutral in May. It’s the ninth consecutive month that the survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region stayed in the red. Dr. Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University, says one thing that jumped out was a drop in farmland prices. Given the current economic conditions in the agriculture sector, Goss says it’s hard to know for sure if the drop in farmland price will continue. Goss says some late planting concerns are...

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EPA’s Regan hears counter argument to EVs in Senate hearing

EPA’s Regan hears counter argument to EVs in Senate hearing

During a recent Senate hearing in Washington D.C., Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan heard criticisms from lawmakers regarding the Biden administration’s push for increased electric vehicle use via regulation. Wyoming GOP Senator Cynthia...

Grassley and Ernst lead Iowa delegation in asking for federal aid

Grassley and Ernst lead Iowa delegation in asking for federal aid

Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) led the state’s delegation in calling on USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly approve Iowa’s request for federal assistance. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig made the request on...

School breakfast programs start to incorporate meat again

School breakfast programs start to incorporate meat again

When it comes to creating a marketplace for our products, we tend to put a lot of focus on developing international markets. That is good because we produce far more food than we hope to consume. However, we cannot afford to overlook the demand we can create here at...

Grassley wary of Chinese response to increased tariffs

Grassley wary of Chinese response to increased tariffs

On Tuesday President Biden announced a surge of increased tariffs on imported Chinese products under Section 301 of 1974’s Trade Act. The tariff hikes will be applied to $18 billion worth of imports from China including electric vehicle batteries and computer chips....

Hog prices much more stable now than a year ago

Hog prices much more stable now than a year ago

After soaring to yearly highs recently, the hog prices, along with the rest of the livestock, have come back down to earth. While we would’ve liked to maintain those higher levels, it’s important to remember that hog prices were considerably worse just a year ago....

Deadline approaching for century and heritage farm applications

Deadline approaching for century and heritage farm applications

The June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today. The program, which was created in...

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U.S. Export Sales Report (5-16-24)

U.S. Export Sales Report (5-16-24)

Corn and soybeans sales came in within estimates, but they are still leaning towards the lower side of the range. This is not what we want to see with both markets trending lower already. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export...