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Farm bill, grain marketing among farmer concerns heading into Farm Progress Show

(Pictured: Story City, Iowa farmer Brent Larson – Photo by Brent Barnett/Brownfield)

Many farmers are looking to meet with industry experts on a variety of challenges at this week’s Farm Progress Show.

Eastern Iowa farmer Dave Walton, who serves as treasurer of the American Soybean Association, says the industry needs the certainty of a new five-year farm bill. “Our insurance programs are built into that, our commodity programs are built into that, and if we don’t have that (legislation) it makes us nervous,” Walton said. “It makes bankers nervous, and it makes equipment dealers nervous.”

Central Iowa farmer Brent Larson tells Brownfield grain marketing is his biggest concern heading into harvest. “The price of grain has been deteriorating,” Larson said. “It’s been tough to market grain this year. There haven’t been any big bounces.”

Walton says he’s facing similar challenges. “I don’t have as much grain sold as I should have,” Walton said. “We’ve got some hedged, we got some sold, but man, I wish I would have sold it all a year ago.”

Walton and Larson spoke to Brownfield during the American Soybean Association’s farmer forum in Ankeny, Iowa on Monday, held prior to the 2024 Farm Progress Show.

Dave Walton Interview:

Brent Larson Interview: