Top Stories
Breaking down the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports
The USDA released both the Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports on March 31st. Heading into the day, the markets were anticipating big news from the planting acres, but it seems that there was more to react to in the grain stocks report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the Prospective Plantings report had a smaller adjustment to the corn acres than most analysts anticipated. McBride said the soybean acres saw a similar adjustment in the opposite direction. Both...
Lack of West Coast port labor contract creates uncertainty for U.S. red meat
West Coast Longshoremen and terminal operators started negotiations on a new labor contract on May 10, 2022. The talks have continued for more than a year without resolution, and port workers have been without a contract for 10 months. While the situation is not...
Rural caregivers face mental health challenges too
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Rural Minds and the National Grange Society held a webinar discussing the challenges facing caregivers in rural America. Those mental health challenges often get overlooked. Brittnee Henry is a communications and marketing...
State report shows biodiesel blends gain ground in Iowa
The availability of biodiesel blends at the pump continues to expand in Iowa, making up 70 percent of reported on-road diesel sales in the state in 2022. That?s according to the latest Retailers Fuel Gallons Report from the Iowa Department of Revenue, which keeps...
Senate Ag Chair Stabenow talks Farm Bill
Last week, we heard from House Ag Committee Chair G.T. Thompson about where he saw the progress of the Farm Bill that is being renewed this year. He seemed to be in a positive frame of mind that they can get it done. Today, we will continue to get that outlook from...
May WASDE report more bearish than expected
Today?s WASDE report gave us our first look at the new crop balance sheet. While analysts were expecting a bearish report, it somehow managed to still undercut them. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this month?s report.McBride said there...
Better weed control while using less herbicide
A sprayer that provides full weed control but also requires less herbicide is the dream of every grower. Greeneye Technology hopes to provide that combination of full weed control and lower input costs with the 2023 rollout of its spot sprayer system says David Greer...
Video
More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-12-23)
Last week’s WASDE saw cuts to Brazil’s production and no changes to Argentina, and the nearby forecasts back up those decisions. Argentina is getting plenty of rain, but key areas of Brazil are still thirsty for moisture. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave...
Ag exports, imports down in 2023 as values declined
Last year inflation and higher values led to increases in both export and import numbers. USDA Economist Bart Kenner tells USDA Radio that 2023 has seen a different trend through the first ten months of the year. Kenner says ag imports are down by 2%, while exports...
Senator Grassley calls for reforms in a new Farm Bill
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) called on Senate and House leadership to address several important topics in writing a new farm bill. They’re asking leaders to address the impacts of inflation, waste in farm and nutrition programs, and...
Turning watermelons and their waste into plastic
Agriculture is known for its innovation. It is about finding new uses for the things we produce and finding ways to use more of our biproducts and cast-offs, so we can cut down on product waste. It is in that spirit that we are hearing about a breakthrough in which...
Managing parasites in cattle herds
Especially in years where input costs rise, it’s important to make sure your cattle are as healthy as possible. While many illnesses can be detected by the eye, some are much harder to notice. Parasites are invisible pests that can severely affect the efficiency of...
