Top Stories
Cattle demand remains strong despite tight supplies
Strong consumer demand continues to support the cattle market, even as producers manage historically small herd numbers and tighter supplies. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said demand remains one of the brightest spots in agriculture today. As cattle inventories remain near multi-decade lows, Lane says the industry has become far more efficient in producing beef. Those supply dynamics are creating challenges throughout the supply chain. But Lane says cow-calf...
Propane supplies ready to handle heavy demand
Iowa farmers have finally been able to get in the field after several rain delays. Now that harvest is underway across most of the Corn Belt, propane suppliers are keeping a close eye on crop conditions and weather forecasts. Since this fall has been so wet, there may...
Diesel tax relief for Iowa farmers during busy harvest season
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued the following statement in response to President Trump and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ actions temporarily allowing farmers to use non-taxed, off-road diesel in agricultural and trucking equipment that support on-road...
SCN management requires more than egg counts
Soybean cyst nematode management often starts with knowing what is present in a field, but BASF's Mike McCarville says growers should not let the process end with a soil sample and an egg count. McCarville says farmers need to take a more active approach to SCN...
Historically wet September caused sprouting in Iowa fields
This September was the wettest month in Iowa in roughly 112 years, and farmers are feeling the impacts of that intense amount of rain. Producers in the southern parts of the state have even observed sprouting in their fields, which can reduce grain quality and ruin...
Markets anticipate yield numbers in October WASDE report
Following last week’s Quarterly Grain Stocks Report, attention now turns to the October WASDE report which will be published by USDA at 11 a.m. central time on Friday. Greg McBride is a commodity broker with Allendale, and he says that we could see back and forth...
USMEF-Mexico celebrates 35 years of market development
As the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the organization’s Mexico office is also celebrating 35 years of promoting U.S. beef, pork, and lamb. Gerardo Rodriguez, USMEF’s regional director for Mexico, Central America, and the...
Video
More Ag News
Historic Iowa rainfall washed nitrogen away from crop roots
It’s been a historic year for rain in Iowa, and while rain is normally a good thing, too much of it can cause crop issues. Outside of physical damage, disease, and soil issues, excessive rains can cause nitrogen runoff, which may have led to the lower yields Iowa...
ARC and PLC payout highest ever
ARC and PLC will pay out record amounts to producers this year as the amounts were raised under last year’s Working Families Tax Cut Act. That is United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) referencing ARC and PLC, he says that the programs have been adjusted and now...
Markets await October USDA supply and demand estimates
USDA’s October Crop Production Report and World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, or WASDE, are scheduled for release at noon Eastern Time on Oct. 9. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says the October reports will incorporate key data...
NPB launches advisory committees to strengthen producer input
One of the cornerstones of the National Pork Board (NPB) is focusing on producer priorities. Six producer-led advisory committees were established recently to align with NPB’s strategic plan. NPB CEO David Newman said the board is built by farmers, for farmers. Unlike...
Opening the playbook on soybean variety selection
Managing soybean cyst nematode can influence more than how farmers protect yield. The resistance needed to manage the pest can also affect which soybean varieties are available to match the other agronomic needs of an individual field. BASF is developing its...
