Top Stories
House Ag Committee beginning farm bill markup this week
After another delay- this time due to the weather- the House Ag Committee will begin the markup process for the next farm bill. With so much outdated legislation, Congress has their work cut out for them to modernize the top ag policy. Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra said there are several priorities for Farm Bill 2.0. Perhaps at the top of that list is research funding, with things like New World Screwworm and African Swine Fever posing a threat to U.S. livestock. For more information, visit...
Getting a comprehensive look at soil nutrients with tissue and soil tests
Harvest is approaching fast- in fact, some parts of the state have rolled out combines already. Once this year’s crop is out of the field, it’ll be an ideal time to do some soil testing. Eileen Bernard, director of farm and retail growth at Farmers Edge, said farmers...
July was strong for pork exports, weak for beef
July exports of U.S. pork were slightly below last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on exports of U.S....
Ethanol industry looks to ramp up push for year-round E15
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales in the state has given the ethanol industry the latest opportunity to seek new avenues for Congress to legislate year-round E15 sales nationally. Governor Gavin Newsom still needs to sign off on the state’s bill,...
Wider tassel wrap issues put focus on genetics
Many Midwest farmers are finding more tassel wrap in their fields this season than in years past. The condition occurs when tassels remain trapped within the plant’s upper leaves, limiting pollen shed and interfering with pollination. That lack of pollination can lead...
Some Iowa farmers are starting harvest already
Believe it or not, there are some combines running in the fields in Iowa already. With the heavy moisture we saw at the beginning of planting season, there’s going to be a lot of variance in harvest dates across the state. Jamie Horton, DEKALB/Asgrow technical...
Secretary Naig announces $200,000 investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $200,000 for the second full year of the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Under the Department's Choose Iowa...
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More Ag News
Outside of the grains, some markets are still seeing price movements
While the grain markets don’t have very much news to trade on due to the government shutdown and a lack of data, the other commodities- including cattle- are still able to see some positive price movement. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there’s a lot of...
Farmers must have a voice in upcoming USMCA review
With the U.S.–Mexico–Canada trade deal facing a 2026 review, ag leaders say farmers must have a strong voice. Nebraska Congressman Adrian Smith recently hosted USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg to hear from producers....
New research shows benefits of expanded ethanol access
If Congress passed legislation that allowed for year-round, nationwide access to E15 fuel, corn use in ethanol could increase by 50 percent at full implementation, supporting a higher market price for corn. New analysis from the National Corn Growers Association says...
Strong potential for U.S. beef and pork in UK
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair-Elect Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Boise-based Agri Beef Co., recently traveled to the United Kingdom on a trade mission with Idaho Governor Brad Little. Theiler said the group met with...
From Ames to Iowa City, everyone cheers for Iowa dairy
Fall is well known for its tailgating fun at sporting events across the country, and nowhere is that tradition stronger than right here in Iowa. Whether you are grilling up cheeseburgers outside Jack Trice Stadium or reaching for the ranch and blue cheese to go with...
