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USDA moves forward with mandatory relocation despite pushback
The USDA Rural Development Mission Area intends to move nearly 3,000 members of its workforce out of the Washington, DC area, according to a report from Meatingplace. The relocation aims to modernize operations, increase accountability, and ensure federal resources are positioned where they can deliver the greatest impact. NOTUS reports that employees throughout the department overwhelmingly did not plan to move to new offices across the country – 80% say they would rather quit than move. This...
Taste What Pork Can Do is celebrating global flavors
The Taste What Pork Can Do® campaign from the National Pork Board launched in May 2025 with the aim of getting younger generations of consumers interested in buying more pork. Jose De Jesus is vice president of market growth with the National Pork Board and he says...
Farmers trim input costs as profit margins remain tight
Farmers across the Corn Belt are reducing spending on fertilizer, seed and crop protection products as they prepare for another year of narrow profit margins. Agricultural economists and industry analysts report that many producers are carefully managing expenses...
Interior seeks flexibility on predator management
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several wildlife management issues affecting western ranchers. Among the topics discussed were wolves...
Rollins confirms NWS detection 25 miles from U.S.-Mexico border
Today, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins held a press conference with the media to provide a full update on the New World Screwworm (NWS) situation and clear up some misleading headlines that have been circulating. There was a lot of concern building over an alleged...
Top considerations when planning a calving barn
As attention to livestock production intensifies, producers continue to evaluate the benefits of calving barns for enhancing both livestock management and operational efficiency, according to Dennis Lee, farm product line manager for Morton Buildings. Lee cites...
Examining demand concerns heading into the summer grilling season
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start to the summer grilling season and with the grills firing up around the country questions about meat demand are lingering. With meat prices at the store at lofty levels and beef prices reaching record highs, will consumers have...
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More Ag News
Most Iowa crops are entering the middle of the season in excellent condition
There haven't been too many road blocks for the crops in Iowa this year. While some storms have been severe, the plentiful weather events have provided plenty of rain. Landus Cooperative Technical Agronomist Dan Bjorklund said he has seen varying corn heights across...
New World Screwworm influence in the ag markets
The initial reaction in the ag marketplace to the first detection of New World Screwworm in a calf in south Texas in early June was a bit surprising to many market analysts. Generally, a negative headline can send the markets to the downside in a dramatic way, at...
Secretary Naig announces 11 Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants during dairy month
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that 11 Iowa dairy farms and businesses have been awarded Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants. The announcement was made during a Dairy Month visit to Gav-n-view Farm near Lansing, one of this year's grant...
Getting the most out of reciprocal trade agreements
Recently, the USDA hosted a trade mission to Argentina and Ecuador. While the two markets are distinct from each other, they also have many similarities. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg led the mission and said he was...
Soybean demand evolves beyond traditional export markets
Export markets have long been a cornerstone of demand growth for U.S. soybeans. As global populations expand and incomes rise, increasing protein consumption continues to create opportunities for soybean farmers. However, industry leaders say the future of soybean...
