Top Stories
US hog inventory edges lower; productivity ticks up
The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 73.7 million head as of June 1, down slightly from a year earlier and from March, USDA said Thursday in its quarterly report. Market hogs accounted for 67.8 million head, while 5.88 million were kept for breeding, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the smaller herd, production indicators improved. Producers weaned 33.5 million pigs from March through May, slightly above last year, with an average of 11.87 pigs per...
Marketing cattle can be challenging in January
The cattle market had a great year in 2024, and while things aren’t abysmal suddenly in January, it’s not a particularly strong time either. Scott Varilek of KKV Trading in Sioux Center, Iowa, said January typically isn’t the best month to market cattle. Varilek said...
Looking at tar spot in 2025
Every growing season brings us challenges. I wouldn’t call them “new” or “different” challenges for the most part. Most of them are things we have seen before but in different levels and combinations. While disease pressure is not anything new, tar spot has become a...
HPAI detected in a multi-species backyard flock in Clinton County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in...
Practical Farmers of Iowa supporting cover crop businesses
For many years, farmers have learned about the benefits of cover crops on their farms. There are plenty of cover crop seed and application businesses to help farmers utilize cover crops, but those businesses can be tough to run and develop, especially if the owners...
Second Trump administration could bring change to trade relations
Will a second administration of President Donald Trump bring progress on trade negotiations with key global partners? U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said exporters will be watching discussions with all trading partners, but...
Senate Majority Leader Thune sets out priorities, including farm bill
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated his priorities for Senate lawmakers, including a new farm bill, as the 119th Congress takes office to begin 2025. Thune says his rural upbringing led him to value the land, agriculture, and the importance of...
Video
More Ag News
Farm bankruptcies climbing in 2025
Farm bankruptcies grew 55 percent from 2023 to 2024 and are trending even higher in 2025. Farmers are continuing to struggle with low prices for their agricultural commodities and the high costs of inputs needed to grow those crops. Bloomberg says unpredictable...
John Deere unveils their 2026 line of combines
Even as the 2025 planting season begins, many growers already have their eyes on harvest. For most, that means evaluating the performance of one of the most critical machines in their operation—the combine. With efficiency and grain quality at the forefront of your...
Farmers will use new Xitavo soybean genetics in 2025
Farmers will be able to use new genetics in their Xitavo soybean seeds this year from BASF. Prior to this growing season, only four companies comprised 98% of the soybean breeding industry. Bill Backhaus, BASF soybean agronomist, said the new genetics are exclusive to...
Spring showers supplying beneficial rainfall this week
It has already been an active weather week in Iowa with rain showers and storms across the state to begin the seven-day stretch. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the active weather pattern is good news for pasture and rangeland and spring planted crops. Showers...
USGC: Value of ag exports passes $28 billion
The U.S. Grains Council updated its Value of Grains Exports study with the latest available information about the financial benefits of ag exports to communities around the country. “The value of export markets for the U.S. agricultural industry cannot be understated...
