Top Stories
Farm Bureau’s “Farm State of Mind” unveils new mental health resource
The challenges facing farmers and ranchers can take a toll on mental health and well-being. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s “Farm State of Mind” initiative helps provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health and wellness. This May, in honor of Mental Health Month, Farm State of Mind is rolling out a new resource based on six steps that helped Davis Peeler, a farmer from South Carolina. Peller said these simple steps helped him weather a storm...
Iowa Farmers asking for commonsense, climate-smart Farm Bill
As the Farm Bill is already six months late and languishing as an extension based on five to ten-year-old data, farmers are concerned with ensuring it gets done on time to avoid another year of kicking the can down the road. There is already a high probability that...
Senators: livestock consolidation a “bad deal” for consumers, ranchers
Senators Chuck Grassley and Jon Tester encourage their Senate colleagues to oppose recent efforts that they say will weaken the Packers and Stockyards Act. The upcoming Fiscal year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill includes provisions Grassley and Tester say would...
National FFA Week celebrates past, present, and future members
We’re currently in the middle of National FFA Week, and members across the state of Iowa have been celebrating through all sorts of activities. In fact, the Iowa FFA leadership team has been travelling everywhere to visit as many of the local chapters as possible....
EPA considers slowing shift to electric vehicles
The Environmental Protection Agency is considering slowing tailpipe emission limits, which would give automakers more time to increase electric vehicle sales. The New York Times, followed by the Washington Post, reported the change, which could be viewed by some as a...
Start protecting your crops early in the growing season
Several yield factors, like minimizing inputs and maximizing weed and disease control, are at the top of every farmer’s mind as the 2024 planting season approaches. Getting a head start with early-season crop protection can help farmers reduce the stress their crops,...
Assessment shows U.S. soy’s carbon footprint has considerably decreased
A newly released Life Cycle Assessment found the U.S. soybean industry’s global warming potential profile decreased considerably in 2021 for whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soy oil compared to previously reported findings in 2015 and 2010. Commissioned by the United...
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More Ag News
Paris Olympics dealing with shortages of quality protein
In the most recent installment of their Beltway Beef Podcast, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association discussed some of the issues raised at the 2024 Paris Olympics. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Backus talked about how the Olympic organizers...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-1-24)
As we get closer to the end of the marketing year, we saw another neutral export sales report this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. This week also saw a flash sale to China, but flash sales are still far behind where...
USDA says food inflation easing, while farm input costs remain high
The USDA says food inflation is easing, but farm input costs remain high. USDA economist Megan Sweitzer says that consumers may be getting a bit of a break from grocery price inflation which topped 11 percent in 2022. USDA’s grocery price forecast for next year looks...
Officers elected to lead Iowa Farm Bureau’s young farmer program
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Advisory Committee elected officer positions for 2024-25: Chair: Zac Preston, Warren County Vice Chair: Megan McAllister, Dubuque County Secretary: Mitchell Sievers, Buena Vista County Public Relations Co-Chairs: Alyssa...
Secretary Vilsack announces DFAP program
Yesterday, the Biden administration announced it has issued payments to eligible applicants under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), which aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners...
