Local, State & Ag News
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: September 4, 2026
Dec. corn $5.36 and 3/4, down 4 centsNov. soybeans $13.09 and 3/4, down 6 and 1/2 centsOct. soybean meal $348.20, down 40 centsOct. soybean oil 68.89, down 74 pointsDec. Chicago
Hit by flood disaster in mid-2024, Spencer conducts housing study
A housing study estimates the population of a northwest Iowa city hit by flash flooding in 2024 has dropped by about 100, far less than expected. Keith Carl, the researcher
John Deere See & Spray Gen 2
John Deere See & Spray product marketing manager Zach Becker says See & Spray Gen 2 has been released for model year 2027 machines and features a new hardware set
Sioux Center Man Accused of Stealing Merchandise, Returning Unpaid Items at Walmart
A Sioux Center man faces a felony theft charge after police say he repeatedly took merchandise from the Sioux Center Walmart without paying and returned some of those items for
Higher fuel and fertilizer costs pressure 2026 farm income
An ag economist with American Farm Bureau says record production costs in USDA’s September Farm Income Report reflect how much net farm income is eroding. Faith Parum tells Brownfield, “We
Market rally likely to reduce some producer payments
An ag economist with the University of Illinois says the recent rally in the commodity markets could impact crop insurance payouts this year. During a recent FarmDoc webinar, Gary Schnitkey
Dry weather, variable rain take toll on Michigan corn yield potential
A Michigan farmer says sporadic rain during the growing season has cut the top end off corn yield expectations. Matt Frostic tells Brownfield, “In June, I think we had the
BAM Weather: El Niño expected to be the strongest on record
A senior meteorologist at BAM Weather says a strengthening El Niño weather pattern could limit harvest windows this fall. Brett Walts says parts of the Corn Belt that saw access
Midwest Food Bank expansion expected to increase food assistance across Indiana
The executive director of Indianapolis-based Midwest Food Bank says a planned expansion could help meet growing demand for food assistance. Todd Greenwood says a new $9 million warehouse will streamline
Trump administration changes could hamper Head Start programs in Iowa
A federal program that helps thousands of low-income Iowa children could see hundreds of requirements deleted under a Trump administration proposal. One change would mandate English-only instruction, except for tribal
