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USDA sets April loan rates as farmers weigh borrowing costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced updated loan interest rates for April, offering a key benchmark for producers making financing decisions ahead of the planting season. Operating loans are set at 4.75%, while farm ownership loans will carry a 5.75% interest rate. The rates reflect broader trends in credit markets as borrowing costs remain elevated compared with recent years. Farmers often rely on USDA-backed loans to cover expenses such as seed, equipment and land purchases....
Secretary Naig, ten other commissioners of ag raise concerns about RFS volumes
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and ten other elected Commissioners of Agriculture from around the country recently raised concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) about the biomass-based diesel volumes in the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard...
May started promising, but turned exceptionally dry
Early on in May, the weather looked like it was going to live up to expectations and bring plenty of moisture. However, the back half of the month reminded us that Mother Nature can do whatever she pleases, and it ended up being one of the driest Mays on record. Iowa...
Give your swine barn a ventilation checkup
Even with warmer weather, swine barn ventilation maintenance is a year-round activity. Kevin Rath, AP District Manager, said that keeping the ventilation system in good working order can make all the difference.?Good ventilation is imperative for creating an ideal...
FBN speeding up land loan approval process
Traditionally, securing land financing has been a time-consuming and sometimes complicated task. The new Instant Land Loan Approvals program from Farmers Business Network Finance is designed to speed up the loan application process and help farmers in a competitive...
Improving water quality remains the focus at IDALS
The recent decision by the Supreme Court over the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency has limits on the jurisdiction over private properties. It also affirmed that the states and local governments still have jurisdiction...
Gov. Reynolds announces $5M investment to help boost food bank capacity
DES MOINES ? Today, Gov. Reynolds and the Iowa Economic Development Authority announced a $5 million investment in food banks and food pantry networks to help more Iowans in need get access to fresh, nutritious food.?Access to fresh foods is a challenge for those...
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More Ag News
2024 will be a big year for dairy policy
Many opportunities for change and improvement in U.S. dairy policy have been delayed until 2024 or are in the formal rulemaking process. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the farm bill extension has delayed work on some of the...
U.S. Pork certified as compliant with animal welfare standards
Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) version 5.0, PQA Plus Site Assessment version 5.0, and Transport Quality Assurance® (TQA®) version 8 have been certified to be I-S-O, or International Organization for Standardization, compliant with international animal...
Ag groups pleased with rail re-opening
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reopened the Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings into Mexico. Ag groups like the National Corn Growers Association were happy with the move but cautioned the agency against making similar decisions in the future. “This is...
ASA watching issues on the horizon for 2024 (Part 2)
Yesterday, we began a discussion with the American Soybean Association (ASA) about some of the things they are watching on the horizon for producers in 2024. We focused mainly on where things are sitting with the Farm Bill. While that is a very important piece of...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-26-23)
Another spotty forecast will end off the year down in South America. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the upcoming weather forecast in Brazil is pretty hit-or-miss. Meanwhile, the forecast in Argentina looks a bit drier. McBride said that planting progress...
