Top Stories
Adoption of precision dairy technologies
Most row crop farmers are very aware of and knowledgeable about precision agriculture technology. However, animal agriculture is quickly adopting more precision agriculture technology and that extends into the dairy industry. USDA research economist Johnathan McFadden discusses a recent study of dairy producer adoption of precision agricultural technologies and methods. McFadden of the Economic Research Service says precision ag tech has seen a steady increase in the dairy industry and gives...
High gas prices have Washington full of ?answers?
You don?t have to go far to see what oil companies hope you will accept as the new normal. Gas prices are up around $4 a gallon in Iowa, and higher on the coasts. It is hitting everyone in the wallets. It affects all of our budgets in different ways, but mostly...
Farmers need to scout for armyworm in corn and wheat
If it isn?t one thing, it is another. In a year where we must get every bushel squeezed from our fields, we don?t have any room for error. One cornbelt entomologist is seeing signs and conditions that point to some armyworm infestations possibly springing up in...
IDALS working to better water quality in Iowa
When we discuss water quality, we talk about all the efforts it takes to make improvements. However, these improvements aren?t cheap, and they have to be profitable for producers and cities to survive. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is...
Governor?s Charity Steer Show prepares for 40th anniversary
The Governor?s Charity Steer Show will return this year, and they?ve reached yet another milestone, with 2022 marking the 40th anniversary of the charity event. The opening ceremony will take place this Friday, and both the Iowa Cattlemen?s Association (ICA) and the...
Cash rental rates rise significantly across Iowa
Stronger commodity prices and farmland values are leading to higher cash rents across most of the state. According to the most recent annual survey of cash rental rates for the state of Iowa?s farmland, it showed that rates have increased an average of 10.3% in 2022,...
Landus & Des Moines Water Works partner on Plots in the Park
Water quality has been a hot-button topic in the state for many years now. Upstream farmers are needing to accomplish certain tasks and have certain tools available to grow a successful crop, but urban folks downstream are worried about what is showing up in their...
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More Ag News
DNA TRACEBACK fits with consumers? desire for transparency
Recently, Merck Animal Health announced the results of their first-ever consumer transparency study, which showed that a majority of consumers say that transparency in animal protein is extremely or very important. The study explored consumer desire for transparency...
Earning money by farming sustainably
Making upgrades to your operation to improve soil-health has already been a practical and sustainable way to increase your farm?s long term viability. However, it has also become a profitable choice for your farm or ranch.Clay Craighton is an Agoro Carbon? Alliance...
Lower corn use in WASDE raises concerns for ethanol
In this month?s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA lowered the use of corn in ethanol by 25 million bushels. Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University?s Economic Forecasting Group, said this is a bit of a concern since the...
PRRS is still a real threat to hog herds
We have been spending so much of our recent time worrying about how to prevent African Swine Fever and tracking its march around the globe. While occurrences have lessened, it is still a very real threat. However, we cannot ever put all our eggs into one basket when...
Growth in farmland values continues
Growth in farm real estate values remained strong but showed some signs of easing alongside higher interest rates. The Kansas City Federal Reserve says the average interest rates on farm loans increased from record lows at the beginning of last year to decade highs by...
