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Secretary Naig invites Iowans to celebrate Iowa Ag Week March 23-30
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting every Iowan to celebrate Iowa Ag Week, March 23-30. The weeklong celebration highlights agriculture’s many significant contributions to Iowa’s economy, communities, and way of life. This year’s celebration is also part of Iowa’s America250 observance, recognizing the essential role farmers and agriculture have played in building and sustaining both Iowa and the United States since the nation’s founding. “As we recognize the 250th anniversary...
Rural veterinarian shortages draw federal attention
Rural America is built on small towns where life often looks a little different from what it does in big cities. We know the trade-offs, and for the most part, we accept them. Having fewer shopping options is a small inconvenience, while limited broadband has long...
CLAAS breaks ground on new Midwest facility
Today, CLAAS broke ground on a new 44,800 square foot Research and Development Center in Omaha, Nebraska. The facility will add new jobs and support the local economy in an area that is already very familiar with CLAAS, as the new building is being constructed on the...
PQA Plus program helps build trust with consumers
The Pork Quality Assurance® Plus, or PQA Plus®, program helps pig farmers and their employees continually improve animal care practices. Illinois pork producer Paul Ayers says the industry reevaluates the PQA program every three years to ensure it stays relevant,...
USDA announces efforts to increase rural veterinarians
There is a shortage of rural veterinarians in the United States and the low numbers are creating issues for animal health in rural areas. On Thursday Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a new plan designed to increase the number of veterinarians in rural America....
Fresh pork expected to be more price-competitive with beef and chicken
A National Pork Board report expects pork to be even more price-competitive with beef and chicken during the fall. The pork supply continues to fall short of expectations. In the last month, slaughter is down 3.3 percent, and when combined with the decline in weights,...
Farmers applaud court decision on H-2A costs
Farms across America face razor-thin margins and rising input costs, especially when relying on seasonal labor. Family-run operations often struggle to hire and retain enough workers during peak seasons to get crops planted, tended, and harvested. Under the H-2A visa...
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Taking a look at WASDE estimates despite government shutdown
The impact of the government shutdown continues to be felt, as today was supposed to be the October WASDE report. However, we can still look at the trade estimates to get an idea of what this month’s report could have looked like. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Farm aid delay is another shutdown casualty
It will take Congress to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation, assuming that is the course the administration takes to fund emergency farm aid growers need now. But new appropriations were not in the cards, and the government was shut down. House Appropriations...
Senate Ag Committee Senator says China no longer reliable ag trading partner
Senate Ag Committee Republican Roger Marshall of Kansas says China is no longer a reliable ag trading partner. He argues that United States producers need to utilize value-added farm goods to make up for losses in the Chinese market. Value added farm goods are...
Secretary Naig Announces 12 grants to support Iowa specialty crop production
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded Specialty Crop Block Grants to 12 projects across the state. The goal of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Iowa-grown...
Synchronizing cows brings stronger herd performance and profit
Cattle producers looking to boost profitability may find new value in narrowing their calving window. Recent data from Merck Animal Health shows that synchronizing cow herds can lead to more uniform calf crops and higher returns when it is time to sell. The research...
