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USDA finalizes specialty crop assistance program details
The USDA announced it has finalized the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, announced late last year. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the funds are part of the USDA’s broader Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The assistance is available to farmers who planted specialty crops in 2025 and reported those acres to the Farm Service Agency. Munch said the USDA is already preparing pre-filled applications for eligible farmers. For more information,...
A diversified nitrogen plan can withstand a wet growing season
The goal of Pivot Bio microbial nitrogen is to have a reliable source of nitrogen available for when the plant needs nutrition during the critical growth stages of the growing season. Because the microbes bind to the root, they are available when the crop needs them...
John Deere confirms more layoffs
John Deere, faced with lower customer demand for equipment, declining sales, and a difficult ag economy, confirmed cuts in its global salaried workforce. Corridor Business says Deere didn’t release details on the number of salaried employees affected. In a statement,...
Senator Ernst not pleased with slow pace of 45Z credit progress
When I was out in Washington, D.C. earlier this year, the Treasury Department was releasing tax credit information for Clean Fuel Production. 45Z is the credit code for biofuel producers to increase domestic production. However, guidance for the 2025 rule is slow and...
Get nutrients to your crops exactly when they need it
As we get to the later part of the crop season, the window to determine yields is opening up. Applying nutrients at critical times can maximize the potential of your crops. Mike Powell, senior brand manager of bioscience at Helena Products Group, said farmers should...
Pork and Partners educating health professionals on pork benefits
Pork and Partners aims to inspire health and wellness professionals to reconsider pork's nutritional benefits through continuous discussions on current topics and research. Erin Good, corporate dietitian with Hy-Vee, shared her experiences with Pork and Partners....
AFB seeks to protect domestic biofuels feedstock market
The American Farm Bureau says that it wants a better tax deal for U.S. biofuel feedstocks and does not intend to keep out alternative or competing fuels from foreign producers. AFB and other farm groups recently called for the pending 45Z tax credit to be restricted...
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EPA working on outreach with Farmers
Frequently, we find ourselves scratching our heads about AG’s relationship with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More often than not, regulations and interpretations of their authority have ended up in the country's courtrooms. It’s been a strained...
A surprisingly active December WASDE report to end the calendar year
The December WASDE report, which is normally rather tame, was surprisingly active this time around. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the numbers were almost definitively bullish for this month’s report. When you consider the fantastic demand for U.S....
Extension professionals getting their boots dirty to support farmers
The National Pork Board’s Swine Extension and Outreach Professionals Group is made up of university professors and-or extension professionals at U.S. colleges and universities. Sarah Schieck-Boelke, swine extension educator at the University of Minnesota, says this...
Grassley sees improved farm bill chances in next Congress
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that a new Congress and unified party control should improve the chances of a new five-year farm bill in 2025. Grassley says that hardline GOP budget hawks in the House had an excuse this year not to give the Speaker...
USGC issues corn harvest quality report
The U.S. Grains Council’s 2024-2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report says the 2024 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the third largest on record with the highest 100-kernel weight in the history of the report. The 2024 crop also has lower broken corn and foreign material...
