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Above normal temperatures and near to below normal rainfall in the forecast
The latest 8-14 day forecast provides details on the upcoming weather for the beginning of pollination season. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the Midwest will experience some hot temperatures at the end of June and beginning of July. Rippey says the precipitation in the Midwest will be in line with the averages to slightly below the averages for this time of year. That was USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.
Dairy checkoff highlights work in 2024
The dairy checkoff continues to find ways to grow sales and build trust in dairy. Dairy Management Inc. President and CEO Barbara O’Brien said one of the key areas of focus is growing the checkoff’s longtime commitment to research and science and working with...
Record NRCS program acreage enrollment
2024 was a record year for acreage enrollment in USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. In fiscal year 2024, 11 million acres were enrolled in the programs says NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. He says the increase in conservation program investments along with...
USDA invests in domestic fertilizer production
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says his agency is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers, and lower food costs for U.S. consumers. “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we...
Continuing resolution called “dead”. Government shutdown looms
Earlier this week we heard from Representative Zach Nunn from Iowa’s 3rd District, and he talked about important Ag measures that were going to be included in the proposed Continuing Resolution to fund the government. It was going to include another one-year extension...
Protecting small businesses from the CTA
Recently, enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was put on hold. In theory, the CTA is designed to weed out any money laundering schemes, terrorism financing, and tax fraud. In practice, however, Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the CTA places an...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-19-24)
After getting quite a jump on the marketing year, export sales have been fairly disappointing over the last month. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. As for the flash sales, McBride said they’ve been mostly...
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Ag economist says outlook for ag is not promising
One of the country's leading ag economists says the economic forecast for agriculture in 2025 and beyond does not look promising. Dr. Joe Outlaw, a professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University, says that the forecast for ag in the next five years...
ICPB to hold director elections for USDA crop reporting districts 2, 5, 7 and 9
Since 1978, Iowa corn farmers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board® (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff program. On July 15, 2025, corn farmers in crop reporting districts 2, 5, 7 and 9 can vote...
Beef still rules the meat case
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty and rising grocery prices, beef has defied expectations at the meat counter. Historically, tighter household budgets tend to push consumers toward more affordable proteins like pork and chicken. Yet, in a surprising shift, beef has...
Sticking with financial plans during economic volatility
It’s no secret that the economy is extremely volatile right now. Things were looking pretty grim after President Trump announced his plan for widespread tariffs, and now the markets have shot back up following his announcement today that the retaliatory tariffs will...
There’s nothing micro about the importance of micronutrients
Micronutrients play a huge role in the success of our crops, especially here in the Corn Belt. Tim Laatsch, North America director of agronomy with Koch Agronomic Services, said a deficiency in micronutrients impacts the overall health and potential yield of both corn...
