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October red meat exports show promising signs
U.S. pork exports continued to build momentum in October, led by a record performance in leading market Mexico, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While beef exports remained lower year-over-year, USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said shipments rebounded to some degree in October, posting the largest totals since June. October beef exports increased year-over-year to Japan, Taiwan, Canada, the ASEAN region and the Dominican Republic,...
Market macroeconomics going into 2026
During a presentation at the recent 2025 NAFB National Convention in Kansas City, Global Commodity Analytics President Mike Zuzolo discussed some of the biggest macroeconomic factors affecting the markets going into 2026. Zuzolo says that oversupply of some key...
Naig highlights export potential and challenges in Indonesia
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the second stop of the recent Iowa agricultural trade mission to Southeast Asia highlighted both the opportunities and the hurdles that remain in the Indonesian market. While Vietnam offered immediate expansion potential,...
AFBF study: farmers urgently need economic assistance
USDA’s most recent reports, including Commodity Costs and Returns, World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports, all confirm what U.S. agriculture has known for years. U.S. farm income is under immense pressure. A new...
Cattle supplies in the U.S. remain tight
Cattle supplies blamed for high beef prices remain tight, according to the latest USDA cattle reports. That’s USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell who says that all of the data on cattle shows just how low supplies are right now. He points to several factors that...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-27-25)
Planting progress in South America continues as the global market situation continues to shake up the U.S. grain marketplace. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest forecasts for both Brazil and Argentina. As pod fill approaches for the...
How will proposed H-2A changes impact farmers and farmworkers?
In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop to around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in...
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Establish and maintain a strong crop protection program in 2026
Throughout harvest, farmers are monitoring their fields for problem areas. Now that harvest is wrapped up, it’s time to take those observations and start making some plans for next year. Will Griffin of Valent said a strong pre-emerge program can protect the...
Forecasting winter temperatures and precipitation
The latest weather outlook from the National Weather Service is calling for a La Nina weather pattern that will dictate temperature and precipitation patterns for the winter months. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that recent very cold temperatures are in line...
First confirmation of ASF in Spain since 1994
Late last month, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in Spain for the first time since 1994. ASF was first found in two dead wild boars in the Barcelona area, located in the Catalonia region. Eleven more wild boars, found dead in the same area, later tested...
China’s deadline moved to February
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extended an earlier deadline for Beijing’s purchases of American soybeans from December to February. Bessent said China is on pace to meet its pledge to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of February. Bloomberg said...
ASA urges real movement in soybean trade talks
Soybean farmers have been navigating one of the most difficult trade years in recent memory. Tariffs, months of stalled demand, and unpredictable movement from key buyers have shaped the 2025 market in ways few expected. American Soybean Association President Caleb...
