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Ernst talks fertilizer costs, trade, and supply chains
Fertilizer supplies and pricing continue to be a major concern for farmers as global tensions and trade uncertainty influence the ag economy heading towards the second half of the growing season. While many producers were able to secure products ahead of spring planting, questions are already beginning to build about fertilizer availability and pricing for fall application and the 2027 crop year. I spoke with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst about those concerns, including domestic fertilizer...
Ag secretary’s CCC spending discretion limited in bill
The USDA spending bill that President Biden just signed for the rest of this fiscal year limits the Ag Secretary’s discretion in spending funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, which is USDA’s financing institution. The Ag spending bill requires the Secretary to...
AM radio supports quality of life in rural America
AM radio is a critical to rural America, according to National Farmers Union President Rob Larew. Speaking at the NFU annual convention this week, Larew said automakers shouldn’t limit access to information. “In terms of like emergency information and getting the word...
Farms received nearly a quarter of each food-at-home dollar in 2022
In 2022, farm establishments received 24.1 cents for each dollar spent on food at home and 3.6 cents for each dollar spent on food away from home. These amounts, called farm shares, highlight the different paths that food takes from farms to consumers' points of...
Low demand hurting dairy so far in 2024
The dairy industry just seems to never be able to catch a break these past few years. Regulations, trade disputes, labeling products that aren’t dairy as though they were, and the list goes on and on. As we move through these first three months of 2024. We see that...
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-12-24)
Drier weather in Brazil is providing less-than-ideal conditions for the safrinha crop that has been planted so far. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest South American weather patterns. On the other hand, that dry weather is allowing...
Tyson Foods to close Perry pork packing plant
Tyson Foods has signaled that it will permanently close its pork packing plant in Perry in late June. Tyson is the biggest employer in the city of Perry and the closing of the facility will leave 1,276 plant workers without jobs. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining...
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Creative dishes at 2024 Food Bank of Iowa casserole contest
On the last day of the Iowa State Fair, the Food Bank of Iowa held its fourth annual “Chopped” casserole competition, sponsored by Nationwide. This year’s winner was Susan Jones of Winterset, who took top honors with her “BBQ Meatloaf, Mac, Cheese, and Corn Casserole”...
Strong potential for U.S. pork in Indonesia
With support from the National Pork Board, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair Randy Spronk recently traveled to Indonesia to see the market potential firsthand. While Indonesia is a majority Muslim country, Spronk said there is strong potential for U.S. pork...
USDA August outlook for meat production, prices, and trade
Small month over month adjustments were recorded in USDA’s August meat production and prices forecast for this year. USDA’s World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says that there were insignificant adjustments made to the USDA’s August outlook for meat...
Secretary Naig announces another record year for conservation in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, working with Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and farmers and landowners, again shattered a record for conservation and water quality...
CBO Rates the House version of the Farm Bill
No major piece of legislation gets approved without the blessing of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). This nonpartisan office rates the financial impact of legislation over the next decade and its true cost. This is important as there are multiple versions of the...
