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Farmers get less than six cents of every dollar spent on food
Data from the U.S. Economic Research Service’s Food Dollar Series provides a clear picture of how consumer food spending is distributed across the U.S. food supply chain. The latest estimates show that crop producers capture about 2.5 cents of every food dollar, down from 2.9 cents in 2023. Livestock producers receive about 3.3 cents, up from three cents a year earlier. Combined, U.S. farmers and ranchers account for about 5.8 cents of the total value added in the food system, down from 5.9...
BASF?s SURTAIN will offer new flexibility for corn growers
Flexibility is not something we usually have the luxury of in agriculture. Our growing seasons and conditions allow us to follow a practice of certain moves and applications at certain times. And, if it isn?t Mother Nature telling us when the right time is, the...
Secretary Naig awards 28 Choose Iowa grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig on Tuesday announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 28 Choose Iowa cost-share grants to Iowa farmers, small businesses and non-profits totaling $463,000.The announcement was made during...
Drought conditions improve again as weather transitions to spring
This is now the second consecutive week where we?ve seen improvement to the drought conditions in Iowa. It may not feel like it right now, but we?re finally transitioning into the spring season. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan provided an update on the...
NFU outlines 2023 goals at annual convention
Top issues for the National Farmers Union (NFU) focus on fairness for farmers. During the organization?s annual convention this week in San Francisco, California, NFU President Rob Larew said that?s why they have their Fairness for Farmers campaign.?It's hard to talk...
USDA?s simplified direct loan application now available
A new, simplified direct loan application is now available for all producers seeking a direct farm loan from the Farm Service Agency. The new application went from 29 to 13 pages to provide an improved customer experience for producers applying for loans and enables...
NMPF: FDA proposal highlights need for Dairy PRIDE Act
For years now the Dairy industry has been pushing for standards about labeling dairy products versus products that offer plant-based dairy alternatives. The market has been using the term ?milk? for drinks made from food items like soy, almonds, oats, and cashews. The...
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Environmental on-farm evolution is expanding
The evolution continues on Iowa farms as it relates to sustainable tillage practices and improved edge of field practices. One of the longtime leaders on the cutting edge is Kellie Blair, who with husband AJ are fourth generation producers in Central Iowa. She says...
Grassley and Ernst join challenge to EPA rodenticide restrictions
Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), along with 15 Senate colleagues, are challenging the EPA to abandon its proposed mitigation measures targeting 11 rodenticides. In a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan, the...
USDA tabling important dairy policy until after Thanksgiving
In a move that is becoming more and more par for the course, THE United States Department of Agriculture has decided to put off making any decision on an important piece of dairy policy, the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). It has become a far lengthier process...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-17-23)
Continued dry weather has been the story for most of South America recently, and farmers are still doing their best to try and avoid the worst of it. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in Brazil and Argentina. McBride...
Corn and soybean harvest ahead of schedule
Despite the wet weather, good progress was made harvest wise here in the State of Iowa last week. According to USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional office’s weekly Harvest Progress report, Statistician Rebecca Alter says 23% of the...
