A new S&P Global report commissioned by U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action finds limited growth in biofuel demand could put U.S. farmland under pressure. It warns that without higher ethanol blends and expanded fuel markets, millions of acres could shift out of production by 2050.
Six Republican senators and 12 GOP House members wrote to the secretaries of the departments of Homeland Security, Labor and State urging administrative actions to deal with growing problems with the H-2A visa program used by farmers around the country.
Farmers and analysts who spoke to DTN last week at Minnesota Farmfest said they expect the state's crops to produce yields comparable to last year, which saw record or near-record yields in most counties. DTN's Digital Yield Tour forecasts the corn yield at 200.6 bpa and soybeans at 52.5 bpa.
DTN's Digital Yield Tour projects Iowa will have the highest corn yield in the country at 214 bushels per acre (bpa). Iowa is also projected to have the second-highest soybean yield at 61.8 bpa. While both yields are strong, Iowa's soybean yield could come in near or below the five-year RMA average yield.
For the first time, the DTN Digital Yield Tour kicks off in 2026 with national yield estimates for corn and soybeans generated by DTN's own proprietary yield models.
Southern rust reports indicate it might be a lighter year for the disease in 2026, but the first positive detections are being reported and scouting is recommended.
