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Pesticide liability debate intensifies in farm bill fight
A growing dispute over pesticide regulations has emerged as a key flashpoint in negotiations over the next federal farm bill. Lawmakers debated provisions that would limit state authority over pesticide labeling and protect manufacturers from certain lawsuits if products are used according to federal guidelines. Supporters say the changes are needed to protect farmers’ access to crop protection tools. Critics argue the provisions could weaken consumer protections and make it harder for people...
ASA VP Daryl Cates talks about Cambodian trip
We have been highlighting the work that the USDA and other organizations have been doing to help grow our markets overseas. Without laying this groundwork and building upon it, there is no way we can build demand for our U.S. soybeans. While government trade missions,...
Despite drought and wild temperatures, fall has been fairly normal
Even though we have seen bits of precipitation around the state over the past few weeks, the U.S. Drought Monitor has remained status quo for the state of Iowa. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said snow doesn?t provide a lot of moisture, so the amount we...
Optimizing feed management plans for a more sustainable operation
Sustainable farming practices can be a win/win scenario for everyone involved in a livestock operation. Farming sustainably means farming efficiently and minimizing input costs. It also means optimizing feed conversion and maximizing animal health.Feed cost is a large...
Key opportunities for U.S. red meat in Africa
The African continent presents a tremendous opportunity for protein demand- particularly for variety meats- while post-COVID expansion of e-commerce, particularly in Kenya, opens up food retail to nearly every corner of the country. U.S. Meat Export Federation Africa...
Senate passes bill to avert catastrophic rail strike
The Senate passed a bill to avoid a potentially catastrophic U.S. railroad strike and sent the bill to President Biden?s desk for his signature. Crossroads Today says the vote came after mounting pressure on lawmakers to move swiftly. Without action, a strike could...
USDA makes trade trip to Spain
The mantra for the last few years in Ag trade has been, ?don?t put all your eggs in one basket.? While we have had a diversified group of trading partners, the recent trade war with China showed us the importance of this diversification. China may be our largest...
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Muscatine County Fair Queen talks journey to Iowa State Fair competition
The Iowa State Fair is right around the corner, and with that comes the Iowa State Fair Queen competition. Every contestant has a unique journey to the queen contest, and that’s no different for Kylie Langley, this year’s Muscatine County Fair Queen. Langley said her...
Farmer to farmer education act introduced in Senate
Senators recently introduced the Farmer to Farmer Education Act. Senators Ben Ray Luján, a New Mexico Democrat, and Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, introduced the bill last week. The legislation would leverage existing technical assistance resources by supporting...
USDA opens emergency CRP haying & grazing in 46 Iowa counties
With the dry weather, there has been a huge push to open emergency grazing and haying of Conservation Reserve Program land. A provision in the Farm Bill allows for this option to help relieve the producers of grazing animals. When we have conditions like this, forage...
Fighting corn rootworm requires a varied toolbox
Corn rootworm is an annual problem, and a highly varying one at that. In fact, there’s a lot we still don’t know about what encourages its growth or spread. As such, it’s important to stay prepared to prevent a multitude of things that could potentially cause problems...
“American Pure Pork” campaign expands into Mexico’s foodservice sector
For the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), a primary market development objective in Mexico is to strengthen U.S. pork identification in the retail and foodservice sectors by differentiating U.S. pork as top quality. “American Pure Pork,” a marketing program that...
