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Pork exports continue to build momentum
Strong global demand continues to boost U.S. pork exports, with both export value and volume running ahead of last year's pace. Through May, U.S. pork exports totaled $3.59 billion, up five percent, while export volume climbed five percent to 1.28 million metric tons. Mexico remained the top customer, purchasing $1.09 billion worth of U.S. pork. Japan posted one of the strongest gains, with export value increasing 14 percent and volume rising 19 percent. Demand also remained solid across...
Bringing together family and farming through innovation and mentorship
At first glance, farming might not seem like a way to strengthen family ties or inspire the next generation, but for Robb Ewoldt, it’s exactly that. As a dedicated Iowan farmer, a Director of the United Soybean Board, and former President of the Iowa Soybean...
June WASDE report overshadowed in commodity markets by EPA news
This month’s WASDE report was mostly neutral, which is what we usually expect from the USDA at this time of year. More will be revealed about the status of this year’s crop at the end of the month. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the old crop corn ending...
Farm transitions are becoming increasingly challenging
The ag industry must do something about the average age of America’s farmers as it keeps rising. The next generation of ag leaders is entering the work force, but we’re not seeing enough of them return to the farm. Chad Hart, agricultural economist at Iowa State...
Another successful Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade concludes in Mount Pleasant
The 26th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade wrapped up on Wednesday with a day three route northeast of Mount Pleasant and a return to Mount Pleasant for lunch and a closing ceremony. Each year a different host city is homebase for the Tractorcade with the Old...
John Deere must face right-to-repair lawsuit
A court ruling determined that agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere must face a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission, which accuses the company of forcing farmers to use its authorized dealer network. A judge ruled that drove up farmers’ costs for repairs...
Governor’s Veto Highlights Ag Policy Divide
The battle over House File 639 continues to intensify after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed the bill on Wednesday. The legislation aims at the use of eminent domain in Iowa, a topic that’s become increasingly contentious amid proposals for carbon capture pipelines...
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More Ag News
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa fields
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa corn fields this year, and farmers who did not treat their fields beforehand are feeling the pain. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service representative in Eastern Iowa, said that, while no fungicide is able to perfectly handle...
Beef-on-dairy sector growing in popularity
Many industry experts say the beef-on-dairy sector is booming, as are efforts to make these cows as profitable as possible for producers. Laurence Williams, Dairy-Beef Cross Development Lead at Purina, said genetics are an important component when it comes to the best...
Making tough decisions on fall fertilizer
As the harvest season approaches farmers are preparing to make tough decisions on fertilizer. With phosphorus and potassium prices high, some growers might be tempted to pull back on fertilizer but that can be a rash decision that can lead to problems in the future....
Is the U.S. corn and soybean crop getting smaller?
From disease to drought, the 2025 crop has been thrown a curveball late in the season. It’s also pushing the crop to maturity quicker. And with USDA currently projecting a record yield and crop, many analysts say the U.S. crop is likely going backwards in terms of...
Secure borders and legal workforce can coexist
When it comes to immigration and labor, agriculture keeps circling back to the same problem: something must give. Farmers and businesses cannot sit idly by while Washington debates; they need guidance and answers now. Last week, we wrote about the broader frustration...
