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Midwest heat raises late-season corn and soybean concerns
Extreme heat remains a major agricultural issue across a large portion of the Corn Belt. Heat warnings stretch from Iowa and Kansas through Illinois and toward Ohio, with heat indexes expected to reach 105 to 110 degrees in some areas. The timing matters. USDA reported last week that 13% of corn was mature as of Aug. 30, while 13% of soybeans were dropping leaves. That leaves portions of both crops vulnerable to late-season stress. The immediate concern may be greatest for soybeans still...
DOJ expands beef price investigation to major retailers
The U.S. Department of Justice is expanding its investigation into record-high beef prices, widening its review to include eight major grocery chains, according to Meatingplace. The retailers involved are Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize,...
Farmers and ranchers are facing a growing pile of issues
While there is a rebound in ag exports for 2025 and 2026, growth remains below desired levels. New policy measures out of Washington, such as President Trump’s decision to allow tariff-free beef imports, are creating even higher levels of uncertainty for farmers and...
Small refinery exemptions raise big questions
EPA’s latest round of small refinery exemptions is raising concerns within the ethanol industry, after the agency granted exemptions to 29 refineries under the Renewable Fuel Standard. The exemptions allow qualifying refineries to avoid some of their renewable fuel...
Naig recognizes success of cover crop cost-share program
Farmers in the Greater Des Moines Watershed nearly tripled the number of cover crop acres in state-cost share programs this fall. During a press conference at this year’s Farm Progress Show, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig announced the initial results of the Greater Des...
USDA raises U.S. agricultural export forecast
U.S. agricultural exports are expected to strengthen as USDA raised its trade forecast and projected a smaller agricultural trade deficit for fiscal 2026. USDA's Economic Research Service and Foreign Agricultural Service forecast agricultural exports at $179.5...
New soybean platform aims to strengthen weed management programs
Enlist E3® soybeans with Expance™ trait technology combine the herbicide tolerance of Enlist E3 soybeans with preemergence HPPD inhibitor tolerance from Expance technology. Jared Benson of Syngenta tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network at the Farm Progress Show...
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Harvest opens key SCN testing window in Iowa
As soybean harvest approaches across Iowa, farmers have an opportunity to check their fields for a pest that can quietly reduce yields without producing obvious symptoms. Soybean cyst nematode, or SCN, remains one of the most damaging soybean pests, and once it...
Naig reveals additional funding for Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program
Just 10 days of the program expansion being announced at the Iowa State Fair, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig said funding for the expanded Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program was fully obligated to Iowa livestock producers. Naig said the program, which is...
GeoKnife offers Iowa growers a new approach to soil sampling
At this week’s Farm Progress Show the Iowa Ag Radio Network stopped by the PTx tent to learn about the new soil sampling tool, GeoKnife, from Radicle Agronomics. Adam Vaccari explains the thought process around the development of GeoKnife and how it can help Iowa’s...
DOJ expands beef price investigation to major retailers
The U.S. Department of Justice is expanding its investigation into record-high beef prices, widening its review to include eight major grocery chains, according to Meatingplace. The retailers involved are Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Albertsons, Aldi, Ahold Delhaize,...
Farmers and ranchers are facing a growing pile of issues
While there is a rebound in ag exports for 2025 and 2026, growth remains below desired levels. New policy measures out of Washington, such as President Trump’s decision to allow tariff-free beef imports, are creating even higher levels of uncertainty for farmers and...
