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Top takeaways from June Cattle on Feed Report
The June Cattle on Feed Report offers some of the latest trends from the cattle feedlots. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell provides some details. McConnell explains why there are more cattle in feedlots than a year ago at this time and says a big reason is a slower inflow and outflow of cattle. That was USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell.
Corn and soybean harvests nearly complete
As of November 10, 95% of the 2024 corn crop in the top 18 corn-growing states was harvested. This was up from 91% a week prior and ahead of the five-year average of 84%. USDA said 96% of the soybean crop in the top 18 growing states was in the bins. This was up from...
Turkeys and egg layers see greatest impact from H5N1
Since 2022, the U.S. poultry industry has been battling a particularly persistent strain of H5N1, or avian influenza, and more than 100 million birds have been affected over the last two and a half years. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau, said...
BASF providing farmers with more tools to grow successful crops
Nobody in the state of Iowa would describe 2024 as normal. While it gave us more moisture than in years past, it also gave us a very dry second half of the year, which opened the door to different diseases and pests. The best we can do is learn from the lessons...
Benson Hill innovating while getting back to their roots
As harvest comes to a close, many companies are reviewing the performances of their seed products for the 2024 crop year. At Benson Hill, they’re also going back to their roots and reintroducing some of the former parts of their portfolio. Aaron Robinson, vice...
Pork industry navigating the changing regulatory environment
The political winds in Washington D.C. are shifting after the November elections, what does that mean for policy as it affects the pork industry? Lori Stevermer is the President of the National Pork Producers Council and she says that with government leadership...
Mississippi River low during harvest for third straight year
The Mississippi River is experiencing an unwelcome three-peat with low water levels during harvest season. The “Mighty Mississip” experienced low water in both 2022 and 2023 and now once again this harvest season. Charts from the U.S. Geological Survey show...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-12-25)
The weather in South America has once again flipped to a drier cycle, but this will actually be helpful since some areas in Brazil actually received excessive amounts of rain. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns....
Government shutdown would have massive impacts on agriculture
Friday is the deadline to get a government funding bill passed through Congress and to President Trump’s desk to avoid a government shutdown. Emily Buckman, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the duration of a possible...
USDA forecasts for milk production and price projections in 2025
USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum helps to provide milk production and price projections, by product and category, for the year ahead. At the recent 2025 Ag Outlook Forum, USDA dairy analyst Peyton Ferrier predicted an overall milk production increase. He says...
Secretary Naig announces 15 Choose Iowa dairy innovation grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that 15 Iowa dairy projects have been awarded Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants. The cost-share grants will help expand on-farm dairy processing and incorporate labor saving technology, both of which will help...
Agriculture in limbo: Farmers grapple with tariff uncertainty
The Trump Administration's back-and-forth actions on tariffs with Canada and Mexico have left the agriculture industry grappling with uncertainty and anxiety. Combined with ongoing tariffs on China and subsequent retaliatory measures, farmers are feeling the squeeze...
