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Grassley says fluid ag markets help U.S. producers amid China tariffs
As China and the United States engage in a tariff tug of war, China is placing levies on U.S. farm goods and making purchases from America’s competitors. However, U.S. senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says some of those losses can be offset. Grassley confirms that China is looking elsewhere for some commodities as its tariffs make commodities from the U.S. more expensive. Grassley referring to the first Trump trade war with China during his first term in office. He goes on to say that if China...
Senator Grassley watching for any abuse of government aid to farmers
While the Senate is on their Memorial Day break, Senator Chuck Grassley kept up on his 99 County Tour. The Senator said he heard from farmers on a multitude of problems that they are concerned with. Grassley says that while he is pleased to see those direct assistance...
Food box distribution draws praise and skepticism
We have so much focus on the $19 billion dollars that USDA has brought out to assist farmers and the Ag industry. Sometimes, we have been hyper-focused on the $16 billion in direct payments to farmers and ranchers to alleviate the financial strains of this pandemic....
USDA Invests $281 million in rural water and wastewater infrastructure
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced Wednesday that the department is investing $281 million in 106 projects to improve water and wastewater infrastructure (PDF, 252 KB) in rural communities in 36...
American Farm Bureau presses for changes to Paycheck Protection Program
Congressional lawmakers seek to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in the next coronavirus-related measure. The program, which assists small businesses with payroll, rent, mortgage interest, and utilities during the coronavirus pandemic will soon come up...
Producers should ?brace for sudden change in American/Chinese relations?
Tensions remain high between the world's largest economies. A market analyst, featured weekly in the Opening Market report, encourages producers to brace for a sudden change in American/Chinese relations.United States export data signifies additional sales to China....
Meat packer illnesses continuing to increase
There was much mixed emotion when President Trump signed the executive order which invoked the Defense Production Act and told meatpackers to get back and running. Producers were happy to see the packers return. Many were looking at euthanizing animals or trying to...
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More Ag News
Iowa Corn continues to be a voice for ethanol
The Iowa Corn Growers Association continues to urge the Biden administration to support an increased role for biofuels to achieve its carbon reduction goals.Earlier this year, President Biden released a carbon reduction plan for cars and trucks which includes a goal...
2021 U.S. harvest is anything but usual
I feel like a broken record saying that this year has been anything but normal, especially after feeling like we said it a lot in 2020 as well. However, the fact of the matter is that this year may be one that farmers remember for a long time to come. It may very well...
Farmland prices rise in rural America
When it comes to the price of farmland, Iowa land sales have gathered a lot of attention in the real estate market.Randy Dickhut is the Senior Vice President of Real Estate Operations for the Farmers National Company in Nebraska. While Iowa understandably gets a lot...
FBN releases 2021 yield estimates
The Farmers Business Network has released its 2021 yield estimates ahead of Tuesday?s USDA WASDE report. According to FBN chief economist Kevin McNew, yield data from 2021 and 2020 crop years were collected from a number of sources including direct surveys, harvest...
EPA announces appointment of Rod Snyder as EPA Agriculture Advisor
The Environmental Protection Agency announced the appointment of Rod Snyder to become EPA?s Agriculture Advisor last Thursday. Snyder will lead outreach and engagement efforts with the agricultural community for EPA, working to advance the Biden-Harris environmental...
