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USMCA trade agreement vital to Iowa’s ag trade
The USMCA (United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement) is a free trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The agreement lasts for 16 years, with reviews every six years. With the July 1st renewal deadline drawing near Farmers for Free Trade held a roundtable at World Pork Expo last week to highlight the USMCA agreement and the benefits it offers for Iowa’s ag trade. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig was a speaker at the panel and opened by explaining the importance of...
Iowa Utilities issues pipeline permit
The Iowa Utilities Commission has found that Summit Carbon Solutions has substantially complied with the requirements of a June 25 order regarding the company’s application for a hazardous liquid pipeline permit. Last week, the IUC issued the permit. The order doesn’t...
Secretary Naig reflects on the Farm Progress Show
Not only do we enjoy the Farm Progress Show for the innovation that is showcased, but we also get a chance to hear from ag policymakers and talk about the issues that face the industry. There was no shortage of those conversations at the Boone site this year. U.S. Ag...
Landus announces unprecedented healthcare for farmers
The Farm Progress Show is all about innovation, and there aren’t many companies that prioritize innovation as much as Landus does. We’ve talked with them many times about innovation in agriculture, whether it’s from their Innovation Connector itself or from the new...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-29-24)
Export sales have turned around now, as we saw great new crop sales again this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said these numbers are exactly what we want to see right now. McBride said that increased demand has really been showing through in the flash...
U.S. ag exports expected to decline in FY2025
U.S. agriculture exports are expected to face headwinds in Fiscal Year 2025 that will drive an estimated $4 billion drop in exports. Lower commodity prices are one big factor but USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says that a confluence of issues could challenge United...
USDA launches online debt consolidation tool
The USDA launched a new Debt Consolidation Tool that allows U.S. agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the Farm...
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More Ag News
Grassley discusses bilateral trade agreements with Ag Secretary Nominee Rollins
President-elect Trump has nominated Brooke Rollins for the post of Secretary of Agriculture and the Senate Agriculture Committee is likely to hold a hearing with Rollins soon as Congress is now back in session. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met with...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-7-24)
The U.S. markets are keeping a close eye on the weather in South America in the event that they see some crop issues, but right now the weather is looking to be rainy and supportive of their current crops. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the...
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...
