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Details from the USDA March Cattle on Feed Report
USDA published the March Cattle on Feed Report on Friday March 20th and with the cattle industry in a pattern of low supply and continued high demand, the report can offer clues on the industry’s direction. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell provides the numbers of cattle in feedlots on March 1st. He notes that last year at this time is roughly when the effects of closing the Mexico border for feeder cattle imports due to New World Screwworm started to impact the numbers. McConnell says...
Ag Innovation Challenge seeking top entrepreneurs
The American Farm Bureau Federation?s (AFBF) Ag Innovation Challenge is looking for entrepreneurs and innovators for the 2024 edition of the contest, which is a business-based competition designed to showcase startups in the U.S. Chase Hieneman, director of industry...
Farmers moving forward after Ohio train disaster
By now you have heard about the derailment of a train in eastern Ohio last month. The twisted metal and fire not only sent shockwaves through the area it happened in, but those shockwaves created ripples throughout the world. All eyes have been on our government and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-28-23)
While the rains here in Iowa have been helpful, the rains in Brazil have done more harm than good. Harvest has been delayed- which means planting is delayed too- and farmers are worried about missing the optimal planting conditions. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Senator Grassley voices CRP concerns
The Senate Committee On Agriculture will hold a farm bill hearing Wednesday regarding conservation programs including the conservation reserve program or CRP.Iowa U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley says that President Biden?s executive order, which is commonly referred to as...
Drought monitor finally sees significant improvement
Heading into this winter, there were a lot of questions about the drought conditions. We didn?t get nearly enough precipitation before the ground froze, so it looked like those heavy moisture deficits were going to stick around until spring. However, we?ve had a very...
Don?t try succession planning on your own
When you look at the family farming operation, ask yourself this one question; ?did I do this on my own??Were you the one who first turned the ground and built the buildings?Are you the only one who tills, plants, sprays, fertilizes, protects, harvests, and hauls your...
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Is sustainable aviation fuel the next renewable breakthrough?
Could sustainable aviation fuel provide the next big growth opportunity for the renewable fuels industry? Some renewable fuel industry experts think SAF could power the next expansion of the industry. Sustainable aviation fuel is a renewable fuel used to power...
Over half of Iowa’s soybean harvest is complete
Making good progress harvest wise across the state of Iowa, still ahead of the five-year average and reaching a key threshold. The crop progress report from USDA's National Ag Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional Office was delayed a day due to the Columbus Day...
Third-quarter grain movements low on Mississippi river
Almost 60 percent of the Midwest grain harvest moves down the Mississippi River system to the U.S. Gulf region for export. In The Agricultural Marketing Service’s “Grain Transportation Report,” the agency says low water on the entire system led to draft and tow...
NASDA’s McKinney worried about Congressional calamity
We could find out as early as today who will be the next Speaker of the House, but I wouldn’t hold your breath. As expected, Republicans have whittled it down to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisianna, or Jim Jordan of Ohio to succeed the ousted Kevin...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-10-23)
Continued drought is raising concerns in parts of South America. While it is allowing for easy planting progress, the lack of moisture won’t be beneficial to those crops. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns. With the...
