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AFBF highlights gaps in Dairy Margin Coverage Program

AFBF highlights gaps in Dairy Margin Coverage Program

The Dairy Margin Coverage Program is a farm safety net program that helps U.S. dairy farmers manage risk when the gap between milk prices and feed costs shrinks. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the program has been a big help to dairy farmers. However, Munch said that recent years have highlighted limits in the program’s effectiveness because it only covers milk prices against feed costs, which doesn’t account for other input costs. Munch said Congress...

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Strong demand for U.S. beef in Colombia despite restrictions

Strong demand for U.S. beef in Colombia despite restrictions

Colombia is the only trading partner to impose restrictions on imports of U.S. beef as a result of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) being detected in some lactating dairy cows. Homero Recio, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Latin America representative,...

HPAI detected in a commercial turkey flock in Cherokee county

HPAI detected in a commercial turkey flock in Cherokee 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 (HPAI) in Cherokee County, Iowa. The affected...

Canadian wild hogs near American border

Canadian wild hogs near American border

Feral hogs are not just a problem in our Southern states. We have been monitoring an increasing problem with feral hogs in Canada as well. These pose a threat to our northern states as well. Canada has been using a monitoring their feral pigs with a tag and track...

This May will be remembered for severe weather

This May will be remembered for severe weather

Before this month, we were all worried about the drought conditions in Iowa as it continued for over 200 weeks. However, we’re now completely on the other end of the spectrum, as there is no longer any drought listed in Iowa. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan...

U.S. Export Sales Report (5-31-24)

U.S. Export Sales Report (5-31-24)

Corn markets continued their trend of decent sales numbers, while soybeans continued their much less favorable trend. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales. At this time of year, McBride said the export numbers generally...

Is the Senate any closer to a compromise on the farm bill?

Is the Senate any closer to a compromise on the farm bill?

After the release of the House version of the farm bill two weeks ago, eyes in Washington D.C. turned towards the Senate chamber and whether the two sides of the aisle are any closer to coming to agreement on the Senate's version of the farm bill. United States...

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U.S. Export Sales Report (10-24-24)

U.S. Export Sales Report (10-24-24)

The pattern of strong export sales has continued, and this week was even stronger than the last. This is a far cry from the way we ended the last marketing year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. Flash sales...

Ag exports will suffer without a new farm bill

Ag exports will suffer without a new farm bill

With the September 30 expiration of the current farm bill, many important agriculture programs are on hold, including several trade promotion programs. Betty Resnick, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said Title III programs generate outstanding...

CARB, the RFS, and used cooking oil

CARB, the RFS, and used cooking oil

U.S. farmers remain hopeful that the push for renewable diesel will open a large market for the vegetable oil pressed from soybeans. However, used cooking oil, particularly from China, is also used as a feedstock in biofuels and has been depressing the need for...

South American planting is behind schedule

South American planting is behind schedule

You don’t have to tell farmers how much Mother Nature can change our plans. In Iowa alone, we went from a multi-year drought to a period when we were caught back up in a matter of weeks. And then suddenly, we were back in a drought again. While it probably isn't...