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Heavier cattle weights bring bonuses and challenges at marketing time
As everyone knows by now, the total number of cattle in the U.S. herd is historically low. One of the ways that the low supply is being compensated for to meet the high demand for beef is by keeping cattle on feed longer and feeding them to heavier finishing weights. Dr. Derrell Peel, the extension livestock marketing specialist at Oklahoma State University, says those heavier weights are having an impact. There are also downsides to feeding cattle to heavier weights, including additional...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-19-24)
After getting quite a jump on the marketing year, export sales have been fairly disappointing over the last month. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. As for the flash sales, McBride said they’ve been mostly...
Congress leaving town with no Prop 12 fix
The National Pork Producers Council is deeply disappointed in Congress’ decision to relinquish its responsibility to produce a five-year farm bill and an overdue federal solution to California’s Proposition 12. The organization says pork producers don’t have the...
The Meat Demand Monitor and consumption trends
Kansas State University publishes the publicly available Meat Demand Monitor. Glynn Tonsor, a Kansas State professor and economist, says the monitor follows consumption trends and price expectations. He says pork consumers are a diverse group, and the Meat Demand...
Adding value with regenerative ag
As more farmers adopt regenerative and conservation ag practices, the operation’s bottom line will receive a higher return on investment. Ag companies are working with farmers to be even better stewards of the land. They are supporting and sometimes incentivizing...
Continuing resolution contains important ag legislation
While it is disappointing that the ag industry will not be getting a new farm bill this year, it’s great to see that some important ag legislation is being included in the continuing resolution. It also means that there’s more time to write up a long-term farm bill in...
Pork is an ideal holiday meal
The holiday season is upon us and it’s time to feed family and friends during the celebrations. Charlie Torgerson, contractor for the National Pork Board, says pork is a great protein to serve a crowd during those upcoming holiday get-togethers. Torgerson said several...
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Sticking with financial plans during economic volatility
It’s no secret that the economy is extremely volatile right now. Things were looking pretty grim after President Trump announced his plan for widespread tariffs, and now the markets have shot back up following his announcement today that the retaliatory tariffs will...
There’s nothing micro about the importance of micronutrients
Micronutrients play a huge role in the success of our crops, especially here in the Corn Belt. Tim Laatsch, North America director of agronomy with Koch Agronomic Services, said a deficiency in micronutrients impacts the overall health and potential yield of both corn...
Optimizing the planting season for a strong start
Planting season has already started for some of the warmer portions of the United States and it won’t be long before farmers in Iowa cross the start line and begin planting crops. Paul Sauer is a product manager for Helena Ag and covers the northern portion of Iowa....
NPPC Praises Sens. Ernst and Grassley’s efforts to avert pork industry crisis
National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio, released the following statement after U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced the Food Security and Farm...
Dairy’s quiet comeback: Signs of strength and hope ahead
After enduring years of challenges marked by fluctuating prices and shifting consumer trends, the dairy industry has recently shown signs of renewed strength. Improved demand, stabilizing input costs, and a growing global appetite for dairy products have all...
