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The U.S. is no longer world's leading exporter of corn

Aug 31, 2023
Brazil breaks America's near-lock on the top spot for half a century. But corn growers are still doing fine.
Despite losing market share to Brazil, U.S. growers are still selling more corn in absolute terms.
Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

How an Iowa farmer pushes through less-than-average crop yields

Jul 27, 2023
It takes a "that's farming, buddy!" attitude — and crop insurance helps, too.
"That's farming, buddy!" says April Hemmes, a corn and soybean farmer, in the face of drought in her home state of Iowa.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

How does the price of soybeans, corn and other commodities affect the cost of food?

May 31, 2023
Prices received by U.S. farmers are down 2.2% since last year. But you may not feel it at the grocery store.
After record highs about a year ago, soybean prices have dropped to some of the lowest levels farmers have seen in recent years. Above, the crop being harvested in Iowa.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

A wetter winter raised hopes for better yield in the Corn Belt

May 9, 2023
"Prices have stayed strong," reports Keith Alverson, a South Dakota farmer whose financial management includes trading grain electronically.
While some farmers pay brokers to track prices and trade grain, others skip the middleman.
Mark Hirsch/Getty Images

Despite drought, this Iowa farmer had a record harvest

Nov 8, 2022
April Hemmes was in the "Goldilocks spot" when it came to weather.
April Hemmes on her farm in 2019. This year, she had a record soybean harvest despite a drought earlier in the year.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

The Corn Belt is facing smaller yields, but higher prices are keeping this farmer's hopes up

Sep 15, 2022
Drought has made the last few years tough for farmers like Keith Alverson of Chester, South Dakota. But higher corn prices are keeping him optimistic.
Farmers in the Corn Belt have endured two years of drought.
Scott Olson/Getty Images

Early signs indicate weaker than expected U.S. corn crop

Sep 9, 2022
Smaller U.S. grain yields could put pressure on an already-strained global food market.
A below-average corn crop could have global implications.
Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

As prices at the grocery store rise, farmers' costs are up too

Jan 20, 2022
Iowa corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes paid double for nitrogen this year. Consumers shouldn’t blame growers for inflation, she said.
"That's farming, buddy!" says April Hemmes, a corn and soybean farmer, in the face of drought in her home state of Iowa.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

"A lot of crap has gone down" for Iowa farmer, but it's finally harvest time

Sep 30, 2021
April Hemmes had to replant her soybeans after a frost killed them. But they're coming out better than expected, she says.
April Hemmes on her farm in 2019. This year, she had a record soybean harvest despite a drought earlier in the year.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace

How some farmers are feeling about Biden's election

Nov 10, 2020
Iowa corn and soybean farmer April Hemmes says farmers are wondering how quickly Biden will undo some of Trump's policies.
April Hemmes on her farm in 2019. This year, she had a record soybean harvest despite a drought earlier in the year.
Ben Hethcoat/Marketplace