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Strong hog prices mean producers can improve their operations
The swine industry is much stronger in 2026 than it has been in recent years, and that means producers are able to invest back into their farms and create more long-term benefits. Val Weis, commercial lending officer with Farm Credit Services of America, said farmers are enjoying higher price points. Weis said there are a couple things that producers can do with their swine herds to protect them from excessive disease and increase their return on investment. The strong swine economy can...
NASDA prioritizes animal disease preparedness
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with RJ Kearney of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture about the issues state agriculture leaders are watching most closely. While topics like trade and the Farm Bill...
New World Screwworm confirmed in South Texas
Yesterday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins confirmed the detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in a cattle herd in South Texas. The infected animal was a three-week-old calf, and the screwworm was found on the calf’s umbilical cord. Rollins said it is the only case...
Keys to optimizing a pig’s first litter
A gilt’s first litter is notoriously difficult. From low birth weight to high mortality, poor performance has become so ordinary for these litters that producers often come to expect it. Dr. Brad Lawrence of NOVUS tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that it is...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-4-26)
There was a disappointing aftertaste to this week’s export sales report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this week’s corn sales are lower than what we’ve been getting used to. While the soybean sales saw an improvement this week, McBride said they are...
Food and ag groups call for USMCA renewal
The future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is drawing attention from agricultural groups across North America as the trade pact approaches its required six-year review this summer. Nearly 160 organizations representing the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican food and...
Drought pressures western rangeland management
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about the challenges facing western rangelands as drought conditions continue to affect large portions of the...
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President Trump says he is “not looking to renew” USMCA
Speaking at the White House today, President Trump stated that he is not looking to renew the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, saying that “we don’t need anything that Canada has, we don’t need anything that Mexico has.” However, this statement comes as the ag industry...
Concerns rising as U.S. oil reserves decline
While still elevated, oil prices have dipped slightly, well off the high-water mark we saw back in April. Patrick DeHaan, the senior petroleum analyst with Gasbuddy.com, says there are several things helping oil prices. Oil prices are also being helped by China,...
Congressman calls for quicker ARC, PLC Payments
House Ag Committee Republican Rick Crawford asked for support from USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins at a recent hearing to help speed up ARC and PLC payments. Arkansas Representative Rick Crawford says that payments can sometimes be delayed by up to a year. Crawford told...
Work underway on a year-round E15 bill in the Senate
Efforts to secure year-round nationwide sales of E15 ethanol fuel remain active in the U.S. Senate, offering renewed hope for corn growers seeking expanded demand for their crop. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota said that lawmakers are working on new...
June forecast brings rain, warmth to Midwest
A warm and active weather pattern is expected to continue across much of the United States through the middle of June, bringing beneficial moisture and above-normal temperatures to many key crop-producing regions. According to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey, the...
