It’s been more than two years since California’s Proposition 12 took effect, and pork producers across the country are still grappling with its consequences. The law has done little to improve animal welfare, critics say, but has created significant financial strain,...
5 Ag Stories
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-13-25)
Concerns about the dry weather are becoming more real in South America- in fact, it's to the point where the USDA is now adjusting its crop projections. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there's some rain in the forecast, but the overall climate is going to...
Farmers travel to Washington D.C. to talk labor issues
Officials with the White House, Department of Labor, and USDA hosted a roundtable with farmers and ranchers to talk about labor challenges facing agriculture. Officials with the White House, Department of Labor, and USDA hosted a roundtable with farmers and ranchers...
U.S. agriculture is looking for certainty
Uncertainty in the ag sector is nothing new. However, the level of uncertainty for all areas of agriculture has ramped up in 2025. Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says that U.S. agriculture needs more stable ground to stand on to be as efficient...
Secretary Naig encourages farmers to sign-up for cover crop cost-share program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again offering state cost-share incentives for using cover crops. The annual program, which is available to eligible first-time users as well as...
Farming smarter with microbial nitrogen tools
Nitrogen is essential to growing a healthy crop, but it can come with environmental and regulatory challenges. As sustainability becomes a bigger priority for consumers and policymakers, farmers seek solutions that maintain productivity while reducing runoff and...
U.S. red meat export trend was higher in March
Exports of U.S. beef, pork and lamb trended higher year-over-year in March, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said beef export value was led by strong performances in...
May WASDE report brings strength to soybean prices
The first WASDE report after the official start of planting season had some decently positive aspects, especially in the soybean markets. As for the corn markets, AgMarket.Net Hedging Strategist Robin Schmahl said the corn production estimates were in line with the...
Fiscal year ag trade at the midway point
We have reached the halfway point of the ag trade year, and it is a good time to analyze the numbers for imports and exports thus far. USDA economist James Kaufman says exports are down from last year while imports continue to increase. Kaufman expands on the ag trade...
USDA’s Rollins says Proposition 12 ‘Just not sustainable’
At a U.S. House Appropriations Committee hearing on the U.S. Department of Agriculture budget, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins weighed in on California Proposition 12 and similar laws that affect livestock production. In response to a question from Committee...
