Author: staff

As of 9:27 a.m. CT, December corn was down 2¾¢ at $4.09½ per bushel. November soybeans were down 3¢ at $9.92¾ per bushel. September CBOT wheat was down 5¼¢ at $5.18½ per bushel. September KC wheat was down a penny at $5.21 per bushel. September Minneapolis wheat was down 1½¢ at $5.75¾.  This morning, the USDA announced several new export sales: Colombia is buying 100,000 metric tons of corn for the 2025/2026 marketing year.South Korea is buying 140,000 metric tons of corn for the 2025/2026 marketing year.Unknown destinations are buying 136,000 metric tons of corn for the 2025/2026 marketing year.Nigeria…

By Ryan Hanrahan Government Executive’s Eric Katz reported that “the Agriculture Department is confident its push to move more employees out of Washington and into five new hubs around the country will retain most staff and large-scale layoffs will not be necessary, a top official told lawmakers on Wednesday.” “The plan is not yet finalized and still subject to change, USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden repeatedly stressed to members of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and the department is only now starting to solicit feedback from employees, stakeholders and lawmakers,” Katz reported. “Ultimately, Vaden said, the most significant…

by Zach Wendling The U.S. Small Business Administration this week approved a disaster declaration for six central Nebraska counties following late June storms and opened eligibility for certain low-interest loans. The declaration covers the counties of Adams, Buffalo, Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick in response to severe storms and flooding that occurred June 25-26. Gov. Jim Pillen requested the disaster declaration on Thursday. He expressed his gratitude Tuesday that the agency recognized the storm’s “extreme damage.” “This disaster declaration will help businesses and homeowners in the affected communities get the assistance they need to get back on their feet,” Pillen said in…

by Erin Bamer Nebraska and Iowa tied for the states with the largest losses of Gross Domestic Product in the first quarter of 2025, of 6.1%, according to a report from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Most remaining states also saw their GDP’s shrink, though by smaller amounts, while a handful saw modest increases. GDP represents the total market value of goods and services produced during a specific time period. The analysis compared Nebraska’s GDP to what it was one year ago. The report revealed that declines in agriculture played the biggest role in Nebraska and Iowa’s rates. This is…

by Cami Koons Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced Wednesday she has settled environmental cases involving a meat processing facility and a farmers cooperative, both of which had polluted Iowa waters.  The cases dealt with a historic spill on the East Nishnabotna River occurring in March 2024 and several years worth of wastewater discharges from Agri Star Meat and Poultry that exceeded permitted amounts. An attorney concerned with environmental and water issues in the state called the settlements a “sweetheart deal.” In the first case, about 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer spilled from a clogged line at NEW Cooperative in Red…

According to the latest Crop Protection Network map, positive cases of tar spot have been reported in 35 Iowa counties so far this growing season. First reported in the Corn Belt in 2015, the disease has been in Iowa since 2016. All 99 Iowa counties have a history with the disease. This season, tar spot has also been confirmed in neighboring Nebraska, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Farmers and agronomists in Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland have reported positive cases in 2025 as well. Weather Six consecutive weeks of unseasonably wet conditions have…

A new study from the University of Nevada-Reno has revealed that lab-grown whey proteins, while similar in function and taste to those found in natural cow’s milk, show key molecular differences that affect how they interact with the human gut microbiome. Researchers from UNR’s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, in partnership with colleagues at California Polytechnic State University, examined whey proteins produced through precision fermentation — a process where genetically engineered yeast synthesizes dairy proteins without the need for cows. Although the proteins were marketed as identical to those in bovine milk, the study found that wasn’t entirely…

The third annual Breaking Boundaries Pig Show held at Ohio State Fair’s O’Neill Swine Barn on July 25 offered participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities a rare, but powerful, opportunity to shine in the center ring. Participants ages 9 to 22 from across Ohio donned neon orange shirts and, under the guidance of experienced youth mentors from the OH‑PIGS program, cared for and showed their pigs before an enthusiastic audience. Mentors supplied the animals and shared hands‑on expertise, helping each youth learn how to handle, guide, and present their pig in front of cheering crowds and guest judges — emceed by Brian Baldridge,…

Take a look at these three farmland transactions that transpired in March and April 2025. 436.66 acres in Osceola County, Iowa Date: April 10, 2025 Price: $18,895 per-acre average Weighted Corn Suitability Rating Index (CSR2): 92.07 A total of 436.66 acres of farmland sold for $18,895 per acre on average, with a total sale price of $8,250,789. The land consisted of 428.66 cropland acres across six tracts, all featuring high-quality, highly productive soils such as Primghar, Everly, and Galva. Tracts 1–4, totaling 317.95 acres, sold for $17,400 per acre, while tracts 5 and 6, comprising 118.71 acres of exceptional soil…

With the upcoming August 1 deadline approaching for new tariffs, the Trump administration has announced a wave of new trade agreements with key countries. These deals are expected to help American farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers by opening up international markets and avoiding high tariffs. According to a news release by the administration, the U.S. has reached trade agreements with the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and the European Union. Talks are also ongoing with other countries, like India and South Korea. “This colossal deal will enable U.S. farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and manufacturers to increase U.S. exports, expand business opportunities, and…