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Swine industry remains cautious about NWS
Earlier this week, the USDA announced that there was an official detection of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the U.S. The pest was found in a three-week-old calf in South Texas. Since NWS is an indiscriminate parasite, all warm-blooded mammals are at risk of infestation if they have an open wound. That’s why the swine industry is remaining vigilant. Todd Marotz, vice president of the National Pork Producers Council, said they have been monitoring NWS since November of 2024. Even though there are...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-21-26)
As more details come out about the trade agreement between the U.S. and China, the weekly export sales continued following along its recent trends. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales were the highest ever for this specific week. McBride said...
Importance of grower surveys in June Acreage Report
In the next few weeks producers will fill out USDA surveys that will provide the data for the June Acreage Report. Lance Honig of the National Agricultural Statistics Service says the surveys will provide a very important snapshot of the acreage for the year. Honig...
Naig: Recent weather helped Iowa farmers catch up
After a slow and uneven start to planting season this spring, Iowa farmers have made up significant ground over the past few weeks. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says favorable planting windows recently allowed farmers to move quickly and bring statewide...
Smithfield Foods awards 12 Impact Grants nationwide
Smithfield Foods has awarded more than $280,000 in Impact Grant funding to 12 nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities where Smithfield employees live and work. These grants build on the more than $24 million Smithfield invested in 2025 to strengthen...
Don’t wait too long to take care of marestail
Marestail was one of the earliest weeds to become glyphosate-tolerant, and that resistance continues to make it tricky for farmers to manage. With rising spring temperatures, marestail is bolting fast, and it becomes significantly harder to control once it tops six...
Try to block out the noise when marketing grain
With the high amount of volatility in the ag marketplace right now, it can be tricky for farmers to market their grain. However, it’s possible to take advantage of some price rallies and protect your bottom line at the same time. Michael Weidner, director of grain...
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Naig urges Senate action on Farm Bill
The House has passed its version of the Farm Bill, but Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the focus now turns to the Senate, where the legislation could face a much more difficult path forward. Naig said House passage was an important step toward giving farmers...
News from May Cattle on Feed Report
The May Cattle on Feed Report offers some of the latest trends from the cattle feedlots. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell provides some details. Total inventory was up 2% year over year, that was driven in part by a 6% increase in April of cattle placed in...
Enrollment underway for cover crop incentive program
Farmers for Soil Health has opened enrollment for its 2026 cover crop incentive program, offering higher payments and shorter contract terms aimed at encouraging broader participation among row-crop producers. The farmer-led initiative said enrollment will remain open...
Fertilizer issues have taken on a life of their own
Fertilizer prices were already elevated before hostilities broke out between the U.S. and Iran, but input prices have since reached even higher heights due to supply chain issues in the Strait of Hormuz. Corey Rosenbusch, President and CEO of the Fertilizer Institute,...
Central America is a growing market for U.S. red meat exports
Central America will continue to be a growing market for exports of U.S. pork and beef, due in large part to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Ricardo Zúniga, founding partner of Dinámica Americas and featured speaker at the U.S....
