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Cutting nitrogen inputs without cutting yields
As input costs continue to rise, farmers are looking for ways to reduce costs while maintaining yields. Nitrogen is one of the costliest inputs, and fortunately there is a way to reduce the amount of nitrogen you apply without kneecapping your yields. Mark Peterson, a Practical Farmers of Iowa member from Stanton, Iowa, said he’s using cover crops to build organic matter, hitting 220-bushel of corn while keeping inputs low and proving that what’s good for the environment can be even better for...
What can Iowa expect from infrastructure package?
Roads, bridges, internet, rails, and a whole host of other things have been needing upgrading in rural America. It has been a topic of discussion for a few Administrations now. There is no debate that any upgrades are long overdue. However, the Infrastructure...
Online auctions make upgrading machinery easier during the pandemic
Farm equipment is selling for some of the largest values we?ve ever seen. Michael Bacon, senior director for national accounts with Big Iron Auctions, says that the pandemic has made online auctions even more ideal.While the pandemic has made purchasing new equipment...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-21-22)
The USDA released its weekly U.S. Export Sales Report on Thursday.This week?s U.S. Export Sales Report was uneventful. However, with the current bullish marketplace, that?s actually good for the markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said that, overall,...
Trivial rule further slowing backlogs at U.S. ports
It?s aggravating enough when progress is slowed by things we cannot control. It is even more aggravating when it is human error that leads to slowdowns and backlogs. However, when you add unnecessary rules, agreements, or privileges, that is downright infuriating....
Lawmakers urging Supreme Court to adopt limited WOTUS rule
A group of lawmakers jointly filed an amicus brief supporting the petitioners in the pending U.S. Supreme Court case Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The decision in the case will clarify what waterways are considered "waters of the United States," or...
Getting ready for Spring Planting in Iowa
While Mother Nature has been unable to make up her mind if she wants sunny or rainy weather this week, Iowa farmers are mostly thankful that we are getting precipitation to build up soil moistures to start the year.The flip side of that coin is that Iowa farmers are...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-24-23)
The rain has decided to stick around in Argentina. This means the U.S. grain markets will continue to see pressure. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided an update on the latest weather conditions for Brazil and Argentina.McBride said they?re pretty much...
Attacking weeds with multiple modes of action
It is a well known battle, farmers vs. weeds. But how does a farmer gain the upper hand?Eric Scherder, U.S. crop protection launch leader with Corteva, says that when putting together your weed control plan you should be building that plan around an entire weed...
Creating opportunities for lesser-known pork cuts in Mexico
U.S. pork exports to Mexico reached new heights in 2022. Through November, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), shipments to Mexico were up 9% from a year ago and nearly matched the full-year record achieved in...
Global strategist urges patience
The agricultural economy is always being affected by external forces, from government regulations to wars taking place continents away. The past few years have provided no shortage of outside challenges. Rabobank Global Strategist, Stephen Nicholson said the best...
U.S. cattle on feed down three percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million on January 1. The inventory was three percent below January 1 of last year. That inventory included 7.03 million steers and steer...
