Local, State & Ag News
American State Bank Hosts Dream to Build Event
Local residents gathered in downtown Orange City on April 1st for the American State Bank “Dream to Build” event, a seminar designed to demystify the custom home-building process. The event
Proposed tax break for nuclear power plant construction in Iowa
The Iowa House has voted to create new tax incentives for nuclear power plant construction as well as the project to reopen a nuclear power in eastern Iowa that’s been
Lawmakers pass guardrails for chatbot interactions with Iowa minors
A bill headed to the governor’s desk sets up new guardrails for chatbots that interact with minors in Iowa. A chatbot must be programmed to disclose it’s not a human
Grant funding from Lilly Endowment supports growth of the Indiana FFA organization
The executive director of the Indiana FFA Foundation says a recently awarded $1 million grant will support growth in the organization. Lisa Chaudion says the funds from the Lilly Endowment
GROWMARK agronomists embracing AI
The FS agronomy director with GROWMARK says artificial intelligence is now shaping recommendations some agronomists are bringing to farmers in the field. Brendan Bachman says the cooperative has partnered with
Soybeans supported by expectations for U.S./China trade talks
Soybeans were higher on fund and technical buying. Beans have some renewed optimism about high-level U.S./China trade talks expected to happen in mid-May following a social media post by President
Cattle futures lower at midweek
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were lower on technical liquidating, waiting on direct business to develop. June live cattle closed $.35 lower at $251.07 and August
Election law changes headed to Iowa governor
The legislature has sent the governor a bill that will no longer give someone registering to vote on Election Day the option of having a relative, neighbor or friend confirm
Closing Grain and Livestock Futures: April 15, 2026
May corn $4.51 and 1/4, up 8 and 1/4 centsMay soybeans $11.67, up 9 centsMay soybean meal $334.40, up $4.70May soybean oil 67.60, up 116 pointsMay Chicago wheat $5.93 and
Another week of increases for broiler sets, placements
Chicken supplies will likely continue to grow in the coming weeks. The USDA says 255.581 million broiler-type eggs were set into incubators, surging 3.011 million on the week and 2%
