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Former Ag Secretary Vilsack sees opportunity for farm policy under split government
With Democrats gaining a majority in the House and Senate and a Republican-led executive branch, the next congressional session will host a divided government. The ag industry is hoping to still see a focus on farm policy as farmers continue to deal with a tough farm economy and a farm bill that is desperately in need of an update. Former U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, who is now the CEO of the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa, said the discussion should focus on...
Diesel tax relief for Iowa farmers during busy harvest season
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued the following statement in response to President Trump and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ actions temporarily allowing farmers to use non-taxed, off-road diesel in agricultural and trucking equipment that support on-road...
SCN management requires more than egg counts
Soybean cyst nematode management often starts with knowing what is present in a field, but BASF's Mike McCarville says growers should not let the process end with a soil sample and an egg count. McCarville says farmers need to take a more active approach to SCN...
Historically wet September caused sprouting in Iowa fields
This September was the wettest month in Iowa in roughly 112 years, and farmers are feeling the impacts of that intense amount of rain. Producers in the southern parts of the state have even observed sprouting in their fields, which can reduce grain quality and ruin...
Markets anticipate yield numbers in October WASDE report
Following last week’s Quarterly Grain Stocks Report, attention now turns to the October WASDE report which will be published by USDA at 11 a.m. central time on Friday. Greg McBride is a commodity broker with Allendale, and he says that we could see back and forth...
USMEF-Mexico celebrates 35 years of market development
As the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization’s Mexico office is also celebrating 35 years of promoting U.S. beef, pork, and lamb. Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF’s regional director for Mexico, Central America, and the...
Nearly 130 Choose Iowa members ready to welcome visitors for statewide Fall Crawl
Nearly 130 Choose Iowa members across the state are preparing to welcome visitors on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10, for the second annual Choose Iowa Fall Crawl. The two-day, self-guided event invites Iowans to hit the road, enjoy the fall colors, discover new...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-12-26)
The most recent U.S. export sales report was a continuation of the recent trends for the corn markets, but soybeans were uncharacteristically low as well. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales were disappointing once again. McBride said the...
Fall migration raises concerns over HPAI
As fall migration continues, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is urging livestock and poultry producers to stay vigilant against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). New detections continue to surface in both poultry and dairy operations. Officials say...
The impact of U.S. farmers and ranchers on USDA trade missions
United States agricultural groups are frequently engaged in trade missions and visits to international markets in the hopes of strengthening and expanding relationships and trade to overseas markets. A common theme from those visits to international markets is that...
Secretary Naig invites community meat lockers to apply for Choose Iowa butchery equipment grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited small-scale meat processors and custom lockers to apply for a Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Equipment Only Grant. Eligible businesses may receive up to $20,000 of state funding to purchase cold storage, meat...
Global fertilizer disruptions raise concerns for Iowa farmers
As Iowa farmers prepare for fall fertilizer applications, questions about supplies and prices are becoming increasingly important. Continued conflict in the Middle East is disrupting global fertilizer markets, while trade uncertainty between the United States and...
