Top Stories
It’s still too risky to ship fertilizer globally
The Strait of Hormuz has become a major focus in global markets as disruptions have created bottlenecks that are driving input costs even higher. Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer for StoneX, said it doesn’t matter if the strait is declared open or closed- what does matter is whether or not ships are going through it. Linville said these aren’t the highest fertilizer prices we’ve ever seen, but the main problem stems from the fact that the grain prices don’t reflect the inflated...
U.S. cattle herd smallest since 1951
Before the release of Wednesday’s semi-annual cattle inventory report, various trade estimates called for a reduction in overall herd size. The USDA’s report confirmed those estimates with a herd size of 87.2 million head of cattle as of January 1st, 2024. That is a...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for specialty crop block grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 1, 2024. The grant program, which is designed to support...
Fertilizer is impacted by numerous global conflicts
As we enter year three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as tensions are boiling over in the Middle East, we can’t help but realize the impact these events are going to continue to have on our farms. While disputes throw off demand and shipping, especially in...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-31-24)
Brazil’s weather is status quo, but Argentina is dealing with a heat wave, which could have an impact on the recently planted crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. The cooperative weather in...
Sustainability in pork is driven by producer involvement and data
Jamie Burr is the first chief sustainability officer for the National Pork Board and has now been in the job for almost a year. He says his job is to help farmers show the ways in which they farm sustainably by collecting data. On farm reports allow farmers to...
Enlist E3 soybeans poised for another high-performing year
Farmers have already been thinking about what seed to use this year, and they know have to be prepared for just about anything this growing season. Myron Stine, president of Stine Seed, said they’re excited for farmers to use Enlist E3 soybeans this year and check out...
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AFBF challenges rule that destabilizes ranching
A total of 12 groups sued the Bureau of Land Management, saying the new Public Lands Rule threatens the future of ranching in the U.S. by destabilizing a long-time tradition of grazing on federal lands. Travis Cushman, deputy general counsel for AFBF, said there are...
Grassley discusses commodity prices and the ag economy
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) spoke with farm broadcasters and reporters on Tuesday and commented on the current state of the ag economy. With lower commodity prices Grassley stressed the need for updated reference prices in a new five-year farm bill. He...
Clean Fuels supports letter on higher RFS volumes
A bipartisan group of 37 House members sent a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan encouraging him to support biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuel volumes that fully account for availability and production capacity. Clean Fuels thanked all the...
Japanese Beetles are abundant again
One of our old friends is again back in our fields this year. Japanese Beetles are being found in parts of the corn belt, and in abundant numbers. We know it doesn’t take long for the populations to take off. While they are more pest than a problem, that doesn’t mean...
Wyffels to showcase new facility during Farm Progress Show
The 2024 Farm Progress Show will be held August 27–29, 2024, in Boone, Iowa. The show is returning to Iowa for the yearly event that is held every other year at the show grounds in Boone. Last year the show was held at the companion site in Decatur Illinois. Eric...
