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USDA: Phased reopening for livestock in southern U.S. ports
USDA will begin reopening the southern border to cattle imports from Mexico next month after determining conditions have improved in the fight against New World screwworm. The Agriculture Department says the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry will reopen August 24 for cattle from Mexico's Sonora state. Additional ports at Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, could reopen later if Mexico continues meeting animal health requirements. Every animal entering the U.S. will undergo a full USDA...
With trade in limbo, Iowa farmers wait
As economic anxiety builds across the broader economy, America’s farmers are once again among the first to feel the effects. Much like the trade battles of 2018, the agricultural sector is bearing the brunt of uncertainty. Since the beginning of the tariff era, ag...
RFS and USDA July bean and corn balance sheet
How does the recently announced Renewable Fuel Standard proposal play a role in USDA's U.S. soybean and corn supply and demand estimate in the July WASDE report? USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says the RFS proposal plays a big role in the soybean numbers from this...
Great weather for pollination in Southwest Iowa
If you look at the nearest corn field, you might see tassels at the tops of each of the stalks of corn. That means pollination is in full swing, and farmers are praying for the stars to align and allow their crops to reach their full potential yields. Southwest Iowa...
USMEF talks global beef demand and more at Cattle Industry Summer Meeting
Tariffs and other trade issues were top of mind for cattle producers and other beef industry leaders attending the Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting in San Diego, California. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that, despite tariffs...
Shrinking labor force poised to threaten U.S. economic growth
Declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply. The looming labor shortage could begin to weigh on businesses and strain economic growth as soon as later this year, according to a...
Iowa Eyes Below-Average Missouri River Runoff
Despite a wetter year in parts of the region, the runoff in the Missouri River Basin remains below average. Years of drought have left a lasting impact, and the system has yet to recover fully. Iowa depends on the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River...
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More Ag News
From global shocks to local fields: Farmers pay the price
From war zones to shipping lanes, the ripple effects of geopolitical tension are reaching all the way back to Iowa’s farm gates. Farmers aren’t just watching world headlines for grain prices anymore—they’re also seeing how conflicts, trade disputes, and policy shifts...
Continuing to find new uses for American soybeans
The United Soybean Board is driving demand for U.S. soybeans in many ways, with some being more obvious choices than others. One of those underrated focuses is in non-food products like tires and asphalt. United Soybean Board Director Robb Ewoldt- who is also an Iowa...
Farmers facing a perfect storm of economic challenges
Several economic headwinds are combining to create a difficult financial environment for some farmers. Farmers, particularly those raising grain crops, are struggling economically due to a number of key challenges. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the...
USDA in Mexico looking for answers on movement of NWS infected cow
USDA staff in Mexico are investigating how a cow infected with New World Screwworm was transported from southern Mexico to a location only 70 miles from the US border. That is Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Lauren Stump, just days after...
Rollins announces suite of actions to support American farmers
On Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins spoke on the current state of the farm economy in the United States and addressed the ways President Trump is supporting American agriculture. U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four...
