Top Stories
U.S. beef gains expanded access to Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Food and Drug Authority recently announced that participation in the Export Verification (EV) Program will no longer be required for U.S. beef exports to Saudi Arabia. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said this change, now fully implemented, removes a significant barrier for U.S. beef in a rapidly growing foodservice market. Removing the EV Program requirement, which had been in place since 2015, significantly expands the percentage of U.S. beef...
USDA investing up to $500 million in biofuel availability
The USDA is investing up to $500 million to increase the availability of domestic biofuels and give Americans additional cleaner fuel options at the pump. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said expanding biofuels will bring more income opportunities to all farmers across...
Beef industry outlines farm bill priorities
It?s not an easy time to write a new farm bill, with little new money after the debt limit-budget deal, a dwindling legislative clock, and a hyper-partisan Congress before a presidential election year.That?s not stopping the National Cattlemen?s Beef Association CEO...
County fairs rolling all around the state
It?s full steam ahead for our summer fairs and celebrations all around the state. It?s a great time to celebrate our local communities, the kids and their projects, and get together with people from all over our cities and counties. These all culminate with the Iowa...
Animal food manufacturers vital to U.S. economy
New research from the American Feed Industry Association shows the industry drives economic growth across the national and local economies. The organization's economic contribution study estimates that in 2023, the total animal food industry, including indirect and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-27-23)
Still looking dry in most of Brazil and Argentina. Brazil is still in the early stages of harvest, and Argentina wants to forget about harvest. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in South America.With the massive size...
Summer cookout prices down slightly from record high in 2022
The cost of an Independence Day cookout for a family of ten this year is $67.73, according to the 2023 American Farm Bureau Federation market basket survey. AFBF Chief Economist Roger Cryan said the latest survey shows inflation is still impacting food prices.?The...
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El Nino and its effect on global weather patterns
If you’ve been keeping up with the weather reports lately, then you’ve probably heard a lot about El Nino and its impact on the current weather. Shane Hubbard, research scientist at the Space Science and Engineering Center at University of Wisconsin-Madison, said that...
NCBA policy chair lays out farm bill priorities
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Policy Division Chair Gene Copenhaver recently met with House Speaker Mike Johnson to discuss the farm bill. Copenhaver says Johnson was hopeful on the prospects for a new farm bill after the old bill expired last September...
Pork producers concerned about FDA antibiotics proposal
The National Pork Producers Council submitted comments critical of the Food and Drug Administration’s draft guidance on the duration of use of certain antibiotics in food animals. NPPC says the proposal would “deny the ability for a veterinarian to prescribe...
John Deere has new balers ready for 2024
We spend a lot of time talking about the planting, maintenance, and harvesting of crops. However, we don’t always think about the work that needs to be done to secure forage for our livestock. Balers are a huge part of the operation when you have cattle, horses, or...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-16-24)
We’re looking at a drier forecast this time in South America, particularly in Brazil. However, that’s what Brazilian farmers want, as they are trying to fully kick off harvest season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather...
