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Trump cuts tariffs on ag equipment to 15 percent
President Donald Trump has announced tariff reductions on certain agricultural and industrial equipment, a move that could help ease some cost pressures facing farmers and machinery dealers. Under a new proclamation, tariffs on products like harvesters, bulldozers, forklifts, and HVAC equipment will be reduced from 25 percent to 15 percent. The Wall Street Journal said the administration also lowered tariffs to ten percent on products manufactured abroad that contain at least 85 percent...
Why our markets are under pressure.
The markets are not having a good moment as we speak. The numbers in the red today are proof of that fact. We have seen numbers that suggest that farmers are holding on to large amounts of old crop that they haven’t sold. Usually, this time of year isn’t the greatest...
Several changes for this year’s state fair, but the heart remains
The Iowa State Fair is less than a month away, and the people who run it are excited (with a healthy dose of fear) for it to kick off. Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said several events have taken place on the fairgrounds recently, and that helps them to be...
Despite bullish July WASDE, market expectations should be tempered
It seems like we only get one or two friendly USDA reports to talk about every year, and the July WASDE report was one of them. However, it’s not as bullish as it might initially seem, so expectations for the long term need to be tempered. Allendale commodity broker...
Sun powered sustainability taking shape at Chevron REG in Mason City
Chevron Renewable Energy Group is introducing an enhancement at its Mason City biodiesel production facility that includes the installation of a solar array. The project kicked off with a groundbreaking event at the site that included local leaders and project...
Secretary Naig anticipates record year for water quality wetlands in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship anticipates a record calendar year for progress toward the construction of Department-sponsored water quality wetlands within Iowa. Over the past few...
Outlook for fall 2024 fertilizer shipments
While we just passed the 4th of July a week ago, it is not unreasonable to think about the supplies you will need for and after the fall harvest. One of the biggest inputs that will be thought about is the fall fertilizer and its availability. In the past, we saw some...
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More Ag News
La Nina might not be to blame for chilly temperatures
The cold temperatures we’ve seen recently in Iowa are a sure sign of one thing- winter is quickly approaching. Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist at Conduit, said this week has been and will continue to be full of chilly air. As we’ve talked about...
Watch out for holiday season fraud online
An unfortunate part of the holiday season is fraud. Sean Voskuhl, the Oklahoma State Director for the AARP, says 82 percent of U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud. Smartphone technology can also lead to other opportunities to be taken in by fraud. It...
USDA is increasing support of local foods for food banks
The holidays are now officially underway as we celebrate Thanksgiving today. During this time it is customary to have large gatherings of family and friends and feast upon the bounty of the county, as it were. But for some, just making it to their next meal is a...
AMVAC prepared to replace dicamba in 2025
Among the weeds that farmers can deal with, grasses can be tough to manage. New this year to AMVAC’s lineup is Zalo Herbicide, which specializes in taking care of those weeds. Wen Carter, marketing manager with AMVAC, said Zalo can enhance a glufosinate-based program....
Early harvest helping producers enjoy the fall season
With cooperative weather throughout much of the fall, harvest moved quickly and efficiently for most producers in 2024. It’s also allowing producers some much needed time for rest and relaxation at the end of one of the busiest times of the year for farmers. That is...
