Author: staff

Efforts to restrict foreign ownership of American farmland are picking up steam across the country, with North Carolina, Texas, and Nebraska pushing forward bills that would limit land control by foreign adversaries. In Nebraska, lawmakers voted 47-0 on April 3 to pass LB7, a measure sponsored by Sen. Barry DeKay of Niobrara. The bill updates and strengthens the state’s Foreign-owned Real Estate National Security Act. One of the most notable changes clarifies that Native American tribes are not foreign governments and are not subject to land ownership restrictions under the law. The bill also takes additional steps to address foreign…

Hours after a promised run of “reciprocal” tariffs went into effect on Wednesday, President Donald Trump put a 90-day pause on some of the duties via a post on Truth Social.  In the post, he also upped tariffs on China from the previously planned 104% to 125%. The additional tariffs came after China announced 50% retaliatory duties on U.S. imports, which will go into effect Tuesday. On Thursday, CNBC reported that White House officials confirmed the 125% tariffs would go on top of 20% duties applied in February — putting total tariffs on Chinese imports at 145%.  The 10% duty…

Just after 9:00 a.m. CT, July corn was up 4¼¢ at $4.93 per bushel. May soybeans increased ¾¢ at $10.29¾ per bushel. Angie Setzer, Partner with Consus Ag Consulting said, “The USDA finally made an adjustment to US corn exports, taking ending stocks down more than expected and sending prices to the highest level seen since the end of February. Soybeans saw some positive news with a slight reduction in their ending stocks outlook, while wheat got a surprise bump in its carryout on the back of reduced exports.” May wheat markets saw a stronger trade starting Friday morning. CBOT…

By Cami Koons A free, online tool that helps farmers evaluate cover crop species based on things like county, production goals and drainage situation has been updated to reflect new research in the field.  Iowa’s data for the Midwest Cover Crops Council cover crop decision tool, which was last revised in 2019, was updated to include 13 new cover crop species, more recent seeding dates that are accurate to county-level climate data and reviewed ratings of species for the area.  Elizabeth Ripley, the conservation and cover crop outreach specialist with Iowa Learning Farms, said the tool not only recommends cover crop varieties to farmers,…

1. Soybean, Grain Futures Higher Overnight Soybean and grain futures were higher in overnight trading after U.S. President Donald Trump reduced tariffs for most countries, though the trade war with China continues to escalate.  Tariff rates were dropped to 10% for most countries for 90 days, though levies on aluminum, steel, and automobiles remains at 25%.  The European Union paused its planned tariffs on U.S. goods for the same amount of time, with leaders saying they wanted to negotiate in the meantime.  Still, the rate on Chinese goods imported into the U.S. will be imposed at 125%. China responded by…

Alfalfa weevils are showing up in fields and can cause serious defoliation. Now is the time to get out and scout! How to Spot The adult alfalfa weevil is a light brown snout beetle that overwinters either down in the crowns of the alfalfa plant or other vegetation, said Matt Montgomery, agronomy education lead at Beck’s. The larvae are small, greenish caterpillars with a black head that have a white stripe on its back.  Alfalfa weevil larvae are a small, greenish caterpillar with a white stripe on its back. Matt Montgomery, CCA According to Iowa State University, there are look-alikes.…

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor published April 10, five top corn-growing states reported extreme drought, or worse. Colorado U.S. Drought Monitor Less than 1% of Colorado reported extreme drought Thursday. The D3 conditions cover portions of Mineral, Archuleta, Conejos, and Rio Grande counties. Crop Progress Colorado farmers have not started planting corn for the 2025 season, according to USDA data published Monday. However, winter wheat was rated 2% very poor, 13% poor, 22% fair, 48% good, and 15% excellent, according to the latest Crop Progress report. The Colorado Field Office noted, “A report from Kiowa County stated windy conditions…

A farming accident claimed the life of a Mishawaka, Indiana, woman Thursday morning after she became trapped inside a grain bin. According to 16NewsNow, the incident occurred around 10 a.m. in a rural area located between Plymouth and Bourbon. The Marshall County Coroner’s Office reported that the 58-year-old Marilyn Miller was working inside the grain bin attempting to loosen compacted grain when disaster struck. Investigators say Miller was pulled into the grain as it began shifting downward toward the auger. These types of accidents, often referred to as grain entrapments, can happen suddenly and are notoriously difficult to escape from…

Corn planting may not have started in many of the top-growing states, according to USDA’s first Crop Progress report of the season released earlier this week, but there are still plenty of pre-planting activities and even some experimental planting happening across the Midwest. Find out what agronomists in Iowa, Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, Indiana, and Wisconsin have to say about how growers in their areas are gearing up for planting. Iowa According to USDA, Iowa farmers had an average of 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork the week ending April 6. The agency reported 0% corn planted for the state, which is…

U.S. Reps. Tom Tiffany’s (R-Wis.) and Lauren Boebert’s (R-Colo.) legislation to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species List and ensure that action is not subject to judicial review passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act will restore authority back to state lawmakers and state wildlife officials to control the gray wolf population. H.R. 845 will now head to the full House of Representatives for a vote. “The damage to pets, livestock, and wildlife from an unmanaged wolf population can no longer be ignored. The gray wolf has exceeded federal…