Top Stories
Claw health key to improving sow longevity
Claw health may not be the first thing producers think about when evaluating sow performance, but researchers say it can have a significant impact on longevity, productivity, and overall herd performance. Many of the factors that ultimately lead to a sow leaving the herd begin developing long before obvious signs appear. Issues such as mobility challenges and claw lesions often develop gradually and may go unnoticed until they become severe enough to result in culling. According to research...
Secretary Naig talking with international visitors at Borlaug Dialogue event
With the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues happening this week in Des Moines, we are seeing many international representatives in town—people who have a large say in trade relations with Iowa in particular and the U.S. in general. It is a great time for us to promote...
Prioritizing nutrition means prioritizing pork
Mindful Choicemakers are one of the seven segments the National Pork Board identified in its segmentation survey. Kristen Hicks-Roof, director of human nutrition for the National Pork Board, said the segment prioritizes healthy eating. Of course, pork is a nutritious...
Vilsack makes urgent call for last-minute farm bill
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says time is nearly up and it must be decided if there will or won’t be a new farm bill this year. He told members of the American Farmland Trust that action is needed. Vilsack says as a shortened lame-duck session of Congress quickly...
USMEF hosts pavilion at global food trade show
Exporters of U.S. beef, pork, and lamb met with buyers from around the globe at a U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hosted pavilion at SIAL Paris, one of the world’s largest food trade shows. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that more than 200 countries...
IDALS provides update on the circumstances involving Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc.
On September 30, Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc. notified the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that, due to their financial position, they were unable to purchase feed for approximately 1.3 million broiler chickens located at 13 Iowa farms. Upon...
International buyers already preparing for next week’s election
Theoretically, in eight days it should all be over. Of course, I am talking about the current election cycle. We should soon know who our representatives will be in Washington and Des Moines, and we should hopefully know who the new President will be as well. I say...
Video
More Ag News
Using carbon markets to increase profit margins
As input prices make margins tighten, farmers are looking for other ways to increase their profits. One option is to enroll in a carbon market program. Lisa Kubik, inside sales manager with Agoro Carbon, said they have a variety of programs farmers can take advantage...
Animal disease response training exercise helps stakeholders prepare
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is among various animal health groups involved in tabletop training exercises to improve response to a potential disease incident or outbreak. USDA Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford says that training exercises can...
AFBF appreciates release on USDA funding freeze
The White House released a freeze on $20 million in Inflation Reduction Act money for contracts signed with farmers under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. American...
Four farmers elected to Practical Farmers of Iowa’s board of directors
Alec Amundson, Wade Dooley, Brice Hundling and Natasha Wilson are the newest additions to Practical Farmers of Iowa’s board of directors. Elected by PFI members in January, their support ensures farmer priorities continue to guide and ground the organization’s work....
Looking ahead at trade and agriculture policies to avoid complications
Farmers could face growing uncertainty as trade policies under the Trump administration reshape U.S. agriculture unpredictably. While some measures may be intended to protect American farmers, they could also trigger retaliatory tariffs and market disruptions that...
