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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 drive down input costs and increase options for farmers,” Vilsack says. “Through today’s investments, USDA is bringing jobs back to the United States, lowering costs for families, and supporting farmer income.” USDA is investing...
John Deere ready for planting in 2025
We have just recently finished the 2024 harvest, and it won’t be long before we say, “Break’s over. Back to work” for 2025. Many farms are already getting the ball rolling on equipment preparation for the next season. Winter gives you a great chance to give your...
USMEF expanding Costco’s sales of U.S. meat in Mexico
In Mexico, Costco is a leading distributor of U.S. beef and pork cuts – not just to everyday shoppers, but also to businesses. With Costco looking to expand its sales of U.S. red meat to foodservice clientele in Mexico, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently...
Fish and Wildlife Service proposes ESA listing for monarch butterflies
A new species might be added to the Endangered Species list, with a threatened designation. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently announced a proposal to list the Monarch Butterfly. Shelby Hagenaur, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm...
A plan to resume Mexican live cattle imports into the U.S.
The United States-Mexico border was closed for the importation of Mexican cattle into the U.S. in late November, after a case of New World Screwworm was detected in Mexico. Import restrictions on live cattle imported into the U.S. were put in place out of an...
U.S. corn, soy oil exports outdo previous forecasts
The USDA recently had to significantly boost its 2024-2025 export outlooks thanks to better-than-expected export sales for corn and soybeans. Last Tuesday’s WASDE shows record-low stocks to use for U.S. soybean oil. There was also a surprising number in corn ending...
Hemmes reflects on time on United Soybean Board (Part 2)
On Friday, we started talking with April Hemmes, a Hampton, Iowa farmer who had spent the better part of a decade working with the United Soybean Board (USB) and has now stepped down. We talked about the growth she had seen and the improvements made both to innovation...
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Charitable giving can be part of end-of-year tax plans
As we approach the end of 2024, now is a great time to prepare for tax season. There are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up in a better position before you need to file. Matt Roberts, chief planning officer with Syverson Strege, said that, if you plan on...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-17-24)
It’s smooth sailing for the crops in South America right now, as the weather has been fairly cooperative recently. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. Since the weather has been good, the crop...
Legislators want verification of used cooking oil imports
Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa joined bipartisan colleagues in demanding answers from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding used cooking oil imports. The lawmakers want information on the agency’s process for verifying the authenticity of the...
Last minute push underway for economic farm aid in stopgap spending bill
Republicans and ag groups in Washington D.C. are making a last-minute push to include economic farm aid in the stopgap spending bill that will avoid a government shutdown. The last gasp campaign for farm aid comes as farmers are faced with another one-year extension...
John Deere ready for planting in 2025
We have just recently finished the 2024 harvest, and it won’t be long before we say, “Break’s over. Back to work” for 2025. Many farms are already getting the ball rolling on equipment preparation for the next season. Winter gives you a great chance to give your...