(Photo Courtesy -- Monique Devillier of Goss & Associates)Iowa (RI) — Rural bank executives in Iowa and nine surrounding states surveyed monthly by Creighton University report economic improvement in August compared to July.
Iowa’s “Rural Mainstreet Index” advanced nearly five points, but the Iowa bank CEOs surveyed indicated a slight downturn in hiring and a drop in farmland prices in August. Creighton economist Ernie Goss says improving corn and soybean prices are helping lift the rural economy.
Cattle prices have fallen after President Trump announced he’ll allow more beef imports for 90 days to produce discounted ground beef for consumers.
In early 2025, the USDA imposed a ban on live cattle imports from Mexico due to concerns about the New World Screwworm, a deadly parasite. The agency lifted that embargo last week.
Goss says exports of Iowa livestock and ag goods are up more than 6% so far this year. Exports from Iowa to Japan are up 24.5% compared to 2025.
