Top Stories
Pork industry is optimistic despite trade limitations from pseudorabies
Strong export sales, particularly in Latin America, are contributing about $67 in value per every hog slaughtered and accounting for more than 30% of all U.S. pork production. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said there was optimism among producers and industry leaders at World Pork Expo in Des Moines last week. Pork Expo also gave an opportunity to highlight current export restrictions placed on some offal products following the finding of...
Fertilizer outlook is less than rosy for fall 2024
Input costs are higher than ever, and with a grain market settling back lower, that is not happy news. There have also been issues with supply chains and obtaining what we need to be successful in any crop year. Where this really hurts is when it comes to inputs we...
South American Weather and Crop Update (8-20-24)
The weather in South America still has not changed much, but it’s not much of an impact on the markets anyways since the commodities are focused elsewhere. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the markets could be shifting back to looking at the South...
Introducing new pork products in international markets
Introducing new products to overseas customers is a great way to draw attention to differentiate U.S. pork from pork of other origins. Courtney Knupp, vice president of international market development for the National Pork Board, said consumer preference research...
Wyffels growth in Iowa continues with new Ames site
Following 15 months of construction, Wyffels Hybrids officially opened their new Iowa warehouse and distribution center on July 10th, 2024. The new Iowa site is on roughly 150 acres located between Nevada and Ames near Interstate 35 and highway 30. In addition to...
U.S. beef herd rebuild could take years
The U.S. beef cow inventory has fallen to its lowest level in more than 60 years. With no significant changes on the horizon that would quickly reverse the trend, rebuilding the U.S. beef cow herd to historical norms is shaping up to be a years-long undertaking....
IA Beef Council helping present Stockman & Stewardship workshop
Part of what checkoff dollars are used for is the continuing education of producers in the cattle industry. The needs of the consumer always are evolving, as is the care that is given to the herds. That is why state organizations like the Iowa Beef Industry Council...
Video
More Ag News
Pork is great for any plate
Consumers choose pork at the meat case for different reasons. Kristen Hicks-Roof, director of human nutrition at the National Pork Board, said taste is the top driver in food choices. Hicks-Roof said the National Pork Board is gaining momentum in connecting with the...
USDA forecasts higher retail egg prices for 2025
If you purchased eggs throughout 2024 you are well aware of the climbing price of eggs over the course of the year. Eggs are up in price on average 7.7% compared to last year. Unfortunately, those prices are not expected to decline in 2025. That is USDA economist,...
Rapid growth for biodiesel and renewable diesel in 2024
The U.S. is on pace to surpass five billion gallons of biodiesel and renewable diesel consumption for the first time. That caps a 2024 that saw increased efforts from states to drive adoption, updates to technical standards, growth in soybean crush capacity, and...
Port labor contract dispute disrupting red meat exports
U.S. agriculture is bracing for a potential work stoppage at East and Gulf Coast ports that could greatly disrupt U.S. exports. Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance broke down in mid-November over...
Secretary Naig’s Year in Review (part 1)
It’s hard to believe that 2024 is coming to an end on Wednesday. It feels like just yesterday that we were kicking off the new year. I know they say time flies, but this one felt like we blinked and missed it. However, as fast as this year seemed to go, it wasn’t...
