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USMEF aiding response to Mexico’s anti-dumping probe
Mexico in December launched an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigation on pork hams and shoulders. According to U.S Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror, USMEF is assisting exporters in providing information to Mexican authorities that shows strong demand for U.S. pork in Mexico has pushed importers to outbid other buyers in the region, taking larger volumes at higher prices. Borror said pork trade is vital on both sides of the border. USMEF is...
Takeaways from disease pressure during the growing season
2025 was a year of disease pressure that caused headaches for farmers throughout the growing season. Southern rust was a major yield robber and invaded corn growing areas that normally do not have to deal with the disease. Lynn Justesen is a technical services lead...
USMEF looking to further develop strong demand for U.S. protein
Even though we are waiting for the final export numbers for 2025 to be tallied, we already know that demand for U.S. beef, pork, and lamb remained strong last year despite several strong headwinds, including tariffs, a strong dollar, and tight beef supplies. U.S. Meat...
USDA sets new research priorities for 2026
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday announced a new slate of research priorities for 2026, focusing on farm profitability, climate resilience and food system innovation. USDA officials said upcoming competitive grants will emphasize soil health, water...
Could a coast to coast railroad help or hurt agriculture?
A major shakeup could be coming to the U.S. railroad network, and agriculture is keeping a close eye on it. Union Pacific is working on a deal to acquire Norfolk Southern. If it goes through, it will create the first true coast-to-coast rail system in the country. The...
Highlighting major economic factors to observe in 2026
The U.S. macroeconomy is influencing agriculture input costs, commodity price trends, and supply and demand fundamentals. Matt Erickson, senior analyst at Terrain, said inflation, tariffs, and interest rates will be major factors to keep an eye on in 2026. Erickson...
What to expect in the January WASDE report
The January USDA WASDE report will be released on Monday January 12th and while we don’t know what changes will be made, if there are changes, they could move the ag marketplace. Matt Bennett of AgMarket.net says that if we get a January WASDE report similar to 2025...
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Will the January WASDE report feature a yield reduction?
The January USDA WASDE report will be released on Monday January 12th and right now market analysts are leaning towards an expectation for a yield cut to corn and or soybeans. How much of a cut is still to be determined, if it happens at all, but last year’s January...
USDA is officially caught up on export sales
With the latest numbers released on Monday, the USDA is now officially caught up on export sales. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the reports came out a little slower than expected due to the holidays, but we are now fully caught up, especially with this...
Secretary Rollins announces new slate of political appointments to USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a new slate of presidential appointments to key positions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). “Under President Trump’s leadership, USDA is building a powerhouse team of Presidential Appointees deeply...
North American Bee Strategy aims to improve honeybee health
Honeybee colonies in the U.S. experienced significant losses in 2024, with an estimated 55% of managed colonies reported as lost from April 2024 to April 2025. That is the highest loss rate since tracking began in 2010. In response, the Honey Bee Health Coalition...
Iowa Electric Co-ops stress storm safety
Winter weather in Iowa can turn quickly. Snow, wind, and bitter cold often arrive with little mercy, and when they do, travel and power reliability can both become concerns. That is why the Iowa Association of Electric Cooperatives is reminding rural residents to stay...
