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Former ag leaders warn of farm economy in crisis
A bipartisan group of former leaders of America’s major agricultural commodity organizations and biofuels organizations, farmer leaders, and former USDA officials issued a stark warning to Congress and the Trump administration. In a letter, they outlined the deteriorating state of the farm economy, calling current conditions a potential “widespread collapse of American agriculture.” The letter was signed by Harold Wolle, former NCGA President, Bob Dineen, the past president of the Renewable...
Pork Thank You extended to three Iowa cities
On Wednesday, May 4, Iowa pig farmers brought community leaders from Eagle Grove, Fort Dodge and Webster City together to thank them for their continuous efforts to work through Covid-19 issues since the spring of 2020. The pandemic immediately put stress on every...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-5-22)
Another uneventful report this week. No flash sales, and most everything came within expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there weren?t really any surprises in this week?s numbers.Recently, we?ve heard rumors that India may be banning wheat...
Ag labor reform is stalled in Senate
Labor and the workforce are hot topics in the economy these days. For agriculture, it is just another day as we continue to call on lawmakers to pursue labor reforms. Political Candidates come and go while promising changes to these issues, but if you have noticed,...
La Ni?a?s effects can differ greatly in close parameters
The warm and dry weather pattern known as La Ni?a has more than worn-out its welcome in the ?I-states? and the plains states. It feels like it has been on a constant repeat for well over a year. As we get set for what is expected to be another drought, we are also...
NCGA BeSure! campaign promotes BMPs
As the planting season is underway, the National Corn Growers Association launched its fourth-annual BeSure! Initiative. The national campaign is designed to promote best management practices (BMPs) when applying insecticides.Ag stakeholders appreciate how seed...
Axne unveils Rural Prosperity Agenda
Many times, when we talk about the infrastructure of rural America, we often focus on roads, bridges, and the internet. While these are very much a part of growing the success of rural communities, they are only a small part. We also must consider, jobs, housing,...
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Grassley, Fischer, Wyden, Tester reintroduce cattle market reform bill
Senator Chuck Grassley and a bipartisan group of Senators last week introduced the bipartisan Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2023. Joining Grassley was fellow Republican Deb Fischer of Nebraska, and Democrats Ron Wyden of Oregon and Jon Tester of...
Warmer winter temps will define this February
The soils are still completely frozen, so not much has changed when it comes to drought conditions. Since we started this winter with such heavy drought conditions, we?re counting on building and maintaining a snowpack that can give us a head start on our moisture...
Rising water levels on the Mississippi but supply chain issues persist
The water levels of the Mississippi River reached historic lows in the fall of 2022, causing barge traffic to slow and back up without deep enough water to navigate the river. Since then we have seen water levels rise but by how much?The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...
There may be some headwinds in the cattle market yet
When you look at the cattle prices, you have to feel pretty good overall. Markets seem to be favoring producers. They are able to hold out until the packers are paying what they want. While inputs and feed costs are higher as well, you should still be able to make...
USTR establishes second trade dispute panel on dairy access to Canada
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai this week established the second U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement dispute panel regarding access to Canada?s dairy market. Dave Salmonsen, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Government Affairs Director, said the case stems from...
