Aug. 13, 2026

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A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation.

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AAI IN ACTION

Board of Directors Election Results

The AAI Board of Directors election is complete and the election results are as follows:


District 2 Director

Boone Morgan, Gold-Eagle Cooperative


District 3 Director

Kevin Bown, AgVantage FS


At-Large Director

Katie Stutsman, Corteva


Grain Director

Tim Cassidy, Heartland Co-op 


The terms for the newly elected members of the board will begin on October 1. 

 

Congratulations to the newly elected directors!

Honor Industry Leaders - Iowa Agribusiness Impact Award Nominations Close Sept. 1

Recognize those who are shaping the future of Iowa agriculture with a nomination for the Iowa Agribusiness Impact Award. Award nomination is open through Sept. 1.


This recognition program from AAI honors individuals, businesses, or initiatives making a lasting impact on Iowa’s ag economy, rural communities, or the broader food and ag system. The Impact Award celebrates innovation, leadership, and a deep commitment to advancing Iowa agriculture. From agribusiness professionals and local leaders to game-changing businesses, we want to spotlight those who are moving our industry forward.


Award recipients will be recognized at the Agribusiness Showcase & Conference, Feb. 9–10, 2027, at the Meadows Conference Center in Altoona.

The first Agribusiness Impact Award recipients were recognized at the 2026 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference in February: Steve Sukup – Sukup Manufacturing Inc.; Dave Tierney – Bayer CropScience (retired); and Liqui-Grow.


To nominate a deserving individual, business, or initiative, view previous recipients, or learn more about the award, visit https://agribiz.org/impact-award.

Legislative Committee Sets Priority Recommendations for 2027 Session

AAI members discussed priorities for the 2027 legislative session this week during the Legislative Committee meeting. The committee discussed the upcoming elections, which issues should be priorities, topics that need to be monitored, and PAC support for Iowa candidates. 


Formal recommendations from the committee go to the board of directors for approval later this month. 


The PAC That Supports Your Business

Support your business by donating to the Agribusiness Political Action Committee (Agribusiness PAC) to help increase awareness and amplify the voice of agribusiness in the legislature.


Make a contribution and find additional information online: Agribusiness PAC

AAI Members Prepare for Harvest At Summer Grain Grading Workshops

The AAI Summer Grain Grading Workshops took place this week with sessions in Fort Dodge and Altoona. The workshops provided hands-on training with corn and soybean samples that included a variety of damage types, including broken or split grain, odor, insect damage, various molds, cob rot, germ damage, heat damage, and others.


Thank you to NEW Cooperative for hosting the Aug. 11 session, to Ziegler CAT for providing a training room on Aug. 12, and to USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service for partnering on training for the industry.


Grain graining workshops in 2027 will be held in March and August. Read the Take Five and follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook to stay up-to-date on all AAI events.

Close Out The Summer With A Round In Ames

Register Now & Join Us For The Final 2026 Outing


One more opportunity remains to golf, interact with others in the industry, entertain clients, and enjoy a day on the course. Join us in Ames on Aug. 26 to close out the summer and the AAI golf season.

In addition to a great day of golf, your registration includes:

  • Complimentary soft drinks and snacks on the course
  • Delicious lunch from Provisions Lot F
  • Entry into prize raffle for a Turtlebox speaker, Titleist putter, or one of many other prizes
  • Three Hole-In-One opportunities to win $10,000 or other prizes
  • Prizes for the longest and closest shots
  • Trophy and prizes for the winning team


We look forward to seeing you in Ames!

 

Central Iowa

Aug. 26

Coldwater Golf Links

Ames, Iowa

Thank you to our 2026 sponsors

View Sponsor Opportunities

Out And About

Member & Industry Visits

  • United Services Association
  • America’s Cultivation Corridor

Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO


Meeting with Consul General of Great Britain

Attended by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO

 

ASSOCIATION CALENDAR

 

Aug 26

AAI Golf Outing

10:00 a.m. Shotgun Start

Coldwater Golf Links - Ames


Aug 27

AAI Board of Directors Meeting

8:00 a.m. - Iowa State University Research Park, Ames

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE NEWS

Many Farmers Using Drones Question Whether They’re Worth It

Source: AgDaily

A new study out of South Dakota found that about a quarter of surveyed farmers in the eastern part of the state have adopted drone technology, despite high upfront costs. But there was lingering concern about the value of that investment.



[...] Read Full Story

$1.4 Billion and Counting: $5+ Diesel Squeezes Farm Margins

Source: AgWeb

Since the war in Iran started in February, diesel prices have skyrocketed, deepening the financial strain on farmers’ bottom lines. In January 2026, diesel prices were $3.52 per gallon.



[...] Read Full Story

Battle Of The Briefs: UP-NS Fires Back At AGs Anti-merger Letter

Source: FreightWaves

UP and NS reached into academia to gather a quartet of former government anti-trust experts in an effort to refute the latest filing by red state Attorneys General urging regulators to reject the proposed merger that would create the first U.S. transcontinental freight railroad.


[...] Read Full Story

Be Engaged. Be Informed.

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