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U.S. red meat exports were strong in March
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17...
USDA sets April loan rates as farmers weigh borrowing costs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced updated loan interest rates for April, offering a key benchmark for producers making financing decisions ahead of the planting season. Operating loans are set at 4.75%, while farm ownership loans will carry a 5.75%...
Know your number now on SCN
Even with BASF’s new Nemasphere soybean technology still targeted for a future launch, company officials say growers should already be taking steps to understand how much soybean cyst nematode may be costing them in today’s fields. Justin Moritz, BASF trait technology...
Corteva excited for farmers to use Forcivo fungicide in 2026
Last year’s crop season was defined by one major factor: late-season disease pressure. And while Southern Rust is not projected to be as big of an issue this year, farmers will always have to deal with other fungal diseases like frogeye leaf spot and tar spot. Madison...
A shift in weather conditions for April
Spring weather is always tricky for growers. On the one hand, after a dry winter, spring showers are needed to help replenish soil moisture. But on the other hand, too much moisture can disrupt field work and planting for farmers. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a...
Secretary Naig highlights E15 savings in annual Iowa fuel report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today highlighted the significant savings Iowa drivers are seeing from choosing E15 at the gas pump following the release of the 2025 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report by the Iowa Department of Revenue. “In 2025 alone, E15...
Pork producers encouraged to start a Secure Pork Supply Plan
The Secure Pork Supply Plan, or SPS, allows producers to voluntarily create an enhanced biosecurity and continuity plan, tailored to their operation. Dr. Meredith Peterson, director of swine health with the National Pork Board, says the recently reviewed SPS provides...
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Quiet April WASDE report still contained important information
The April WASDE report lined up with the market expectations and made virtually no changes this month. However, that’s not to say that the report did not contain valuable information moving forward. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the April WASDE included...
Projecting demand for grilling season as beef prices soar
Every year the meat industry can rely on a spike in demand for meat during the summer grilling season. However, with beef prices at extremely high levels in stores, will demand this grilling season be as high as it typically would be during the spring and summer...
GDM streamlines brands after acquisition
GDM is moving ahead with a seed brand realignment that will take effect in 2027, but company leaders say growers should expect no changes for the 2026 planting season. The move follows GDM’s acquisition of AgReliant last September, a deal that brought together major...
Deere reaches a settlement in right to repair litigation
Deere & Company announced it has reached a settlement in a multidistrict “right to repair” lawsuit filed in 2022, bringing the case to a close without any admission of wrongdoing. The agreement, pending approval from the U.S. District Court for the Northern...
2026 forecast shows another strong El Niño
Many parts of rural America have seen some wild back-and-forth temperature swings combined with on-again, off-again winter weather. John Baranick, an agricultural meteorologist from DTN, said we’re seeing a lot of normal temperature swings during the transition from...
