Author: staff

The annual Iowa State Fair Sale of Champions once again proved to be a showcase of Iowa’s finest youth exhibitors, championship livestock, and the strong community support that sustains the future of agriculture in the state. Managed by the Iowa Foundation for Agricultural Advancement, the sale features standout 4-H and FFA exhibitors auctioning off their Grand and Reserve Grand Champion animals at the Penningroth Media Center during the Sale of Champions.  This year’s champions brought record-breaking results in the show ring and at the auction block. Klaire Shanks led the way with her Grand Champion 4-H Market Steer, which sold…

Can-Am’s flagship Defender UTV series has gotten a complete redesign for model year 2026, featuring a new engine, and a variety of creature comforts.  “At Can-Am, we know that the clock never stops for the farmers, ranchers and builders around the world,” said Julie Tourville, director for global marketing at Can-Am Off-Road. “This new Defender platform is built to prove it and match the unstoppable spirit of our hardworking customers. From managing farmland, to running a job site, or escaping to the backcountry, the new generation Defender is all about bringing true value to our riders with practical and best-in-class…

A Montrose County, Colorado, man is facing 84 misdemeanor counts of  animal cruelty after authorities seized nearly 80 horses and several other animals from his property earlier this summer. He has strongly disputed the allegations. According to the Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, the case began when deputies received two separate reports of dead horses on the rural property of Scott W. Flores, 61, in late May and mid-June. Following those reports, an animal control officer photographed conditions on the property and contacted the Bureau of Animal Protection, part of the Colorado Department of Agriculture. Investigators with BAP obtained an administrative…

Ahead of 9:20 a.m. CT, December corn was up 1¾¢ at $4.07 per bushel. This morning, USDA announced unknown destinations are buying 124,000 metric tons of corn for the 2025/2026 marketing year. November soybeans were up 1¼¢ at $10.43¾ per bushel. December CBOT wheat was down 2¾¢ at $5.24¼ per bushel. December KC wheat was down 3¢ at $5.25½ per bushel. December Minneapolis wheat was down a penny at $5.88¼. “The focus this week will be on the Pro Farmer Midwest Crop Tour,” said Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist at StoneX. “This tour has followed the same routes for scouting…

By Roberto Samora SAO PAULO, Aug. 15 (Reuters) – A unit of U.S.-based grain merchant Cargill will build a corn ethanol plant adjacent to its sugarcane plant in Brazil’s Center-Western state of Goias, the company said on Friday. Agribusiness portal AgFeed reported the plans first. Cargill confirmed the business decision but declined to disclose other details of the project. Cargill already produces ethanol from sugarcane and corn in Goias. The company’s biofuels subsidiary in Brazil is called Cargill Bioenergia. The new plant’s construction is another step by Cargill to grow production of biofuels in Brazil, a global grains powerhouse. In February, Cargill…

By Cami Koons Oat harvest is a week behind last year’s schedule and five days behind the average, according to the crop progress and condition report from the USDA. The first full week of August followed trends from July with above-average precipitation across the state, though Iowa crops continue to progress well. Overall 83% of the oat crop has been harvested. South-central Iowa has the highest percentage of acres harvested at 96% of its oat acres.  Corn acres are about one day ahead of schedule with a reported 68% of acres having reached the dough stage, characterized by a doughy consistency inside…

Prices for used semis in agriculture are up about 25% over last year but supply is stable, according to Andy Campbell, TractorZoom director of insights. He said prices may continue to climb through the summer as the market reacts to tariffs and normalizes.  “We saw a peak in April, after the major tariff announcement, because everyone was looking for trucks to transport goods while they were still available,” Campbell said.  Normal price spikes on semis occur in the third and fourth quarters, with increased consumer demand for the holidays, and trucking companies looking for tax benefits at the end of…

By Cami Koons JBS USA announced Wednesday it had reached an agreement to purchase an Ankeny, Iowa, facility, previously owned by Hy-Vee, to build out a ready-to-eat bacon and sausage facility.  According to a press release from the company, the 186,000-square-foot facility will be the largest of its kind in the JBS portfolio and will create approximately 400 jobs, once fully operational. The purchase and required facility enhancements represent a $100 million investment, according to the release. The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2026 following capital investments and construction.  The facility was previously the Fresh Commissary, which made…

1. Corn Futures Decline in Overnight Trading Corn futures were lower in overnight trading amid forecasts for record U.S. yield and production and on favorable weather forecasts.  The USDA this week said it now expected corn yield of 188.8 bushels an acre and production of 16.742 billion bushels, both record highs.  That’s up from the previous forecast for yield of 181 bushels an acre and production of 15.705 billion bushels.  Stockpiles at the end of the 2025/2026 marketing year are now pegged at 2.117 billion bushels versus the July outlook for 1.66 billion bushels, USDA said in its report. Conditions…

1. Corn Futures Rise on Signs of Demand Corn futures were higher in overnight trading on signs of demand for U.S. grain.  South Korea purchased 136,000 metric tons of corn for delivery in the 2025/2026 marketing year that starts Sept. 1, the USDA said Thursday. Spain was also in the market, buying 132,000 tons.  Sales of 315,488 tons of U.S. corn to Mexico were reported earlier this week, underpinning prices.  Since the start of the current marketing year last September, exports have been robust for much of the season, USDA data shows.  Corn shipments are now at 64.4 million metric…