Local, State & Ag News
Democrats in Iowa’s U.S. Senate race at campaign finance forum
Both Democrats who are running for the U.S. Senate say it’s time to tighten campaign finance laws. Josh Turek of Council Bluffs and Zach Wahls of Coralville spoke last night
Senate approves plan to overhaul Iowa’s property tax system
A bill that would significantly change the property tax system for Iowa homeowners has cleared the Senate. Senator Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs, calls it the first step
Iowa unemployment rate holds steady in January
The U.S. Department of Labor is conducting its annual revision in labor numbers to start the new year. Iowa Workforce Development director Beth Townsend says that resulted in the December
Cattle futures higher waiting on direct trade
At the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, live and feeder cattle were higher, optimistic about higher direct business and the lower move in corn. June live cattle closed $.12 higher at $245.92
Illinois farmer says uncertainty lingers ahead of planting season
An Illinois farmer says even though he booked his fertilizer last fall, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have concerns. Brian Corkill raises corn and soybeans in Henry County. “When you stop the flow of any product, it takes
Not a golden age: ag economists warn of financial pressure on farmers
Can farmers survive in the current ag economy? Joe Outlaw with Texas A&M University says it’s getting more difficult. “There’s more people saying I can’t do this anymore.” He says
Agronomist warns growers to stay ahead of corn rootworm this season
An agronomy expert says growers should prioritize pest management during the 2026 growing season. George Huckabay is the lead agronomist for Vive Crop Protection… “The biggest thing in the Midwest
Soybeans rise, corn and wheat fall ahead of WASDE report
Soybeans were modestly higher on short covering and technical buying. Brazil’s harvest is nearing completion, with record harvest all but confirmed, while early harvest activity is ongoing in Argentina. Stateside,
MU’s FAPRI: fertilizer price relief could take longer than expected
A senior research economist with MU’s Food and Ag Policy Research Institute says once the Middle East conflict ends, it will take some time for fuel and fertilizer prices to
Diversifying the Corn Belt
Three years of research and hundreds of farmer surveys have led to a new policy brief aiming to diversify the Corn Belt. The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)
