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Naig stresses value of USMCA framework
Trade agreements often receive the most attention when negotiations become contentious, but for Iowa agriculture, their greatest value is often found in the stability they provide. Canada and Mexico remain Iowa's two largest international trading partners, making the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement an important part of the state's agricultural economy. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said while there are issues that still need to be addressed between the three countries, the agreement...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-14-25)
Some rain has returned to the forecast in South America, providing relief to the crops that were experiencing dry weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. Harvest is just getting started in...
More data released on foreign-owned land
Foreign ownership of U.S. agricultural land remains a widely debated topic. Two additional years of data from 2022 and 2023 became available recently, and Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said only a small portion of foreign-owned...
Grassley presses Trump EPA pick Zeldin on anti-ethanol votes in Congress
A senior United States senator pressed Donald Trump’s pick to head the EPA, Lee Zeldin, ahead of his confirmation hearing regarding Zeldin’s ethanol votes during his time in Congress. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met recently with former New York Congressman Lee...
Autonomous equipment use to grow 12 percent
The autonomous harvester market size is expected to record a 12 percent annual growth rate between 2024 and 2032. Global Market Insights says the rise will be fueled by a surge in product launches and the melding of advanced technologies with farm management systems....
USB showing the value of the Soy Checkoff in 2025
Yesterday we talked with United Soybean Board (USB) Executive Committee Member Rob Ewoldt, an Iowa producer. We talked about some of the challenges and opportunities that the USB is looking at in 2025. We know that the current situation is going to make it tough for...
Landus celebrates Carbon Intensity Program participants
Over 50 farmers were recognized by Landus last week for their participation in the pilot of the Carbon Intensity Program. To be enrolled, farmers provided machinery data and physical and digital records related to their farm programs and carbon intensity practices....
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Using your data to increase farm efficiency
Managing your data is very important with how high-tech things are in this day and age. However, managing your data doesn’t just mean keeping it away from those who want to abuse it. Farmers can share their data with trusted ag companies, like Farmer’s Edge, and...
Ag trade mission to Hong Kong to offer unique opportunities for delegates
A USDA led ag trade mission to Hong Kong will take place May 12th-16th allowing stakeholders to build new and expand existing market opportunities. That is Foreign Agricultural Service Acting Associate Administrator Mark Slupek who says more than three dozen...
Secretary Naig announces expansion of drivers’ access to E15 in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 95 applications from Iowa gas stations to support new and expanded ethanol infrastructure projects. These...
Quick start to planting season unlikely to impact May WASDE
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the nation’s farmers are off to a fast start this planting season, which could impact the supply-side factors in their May reports. However, Iowa State University Agricultural Economist Chad Hart said...
Homegrown horticulture joins Choose Iowa program
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) continues to champion local agriculture by supporting the Choose Iowa program, a state-branded initiative connecting consumers with Iowa-grown, raised, and made products. Launched in 2022, Choose Iowa has...
