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Neutral June WASDE report had little impact on grain prices
A few slight offsetting changes in the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report left the markets with very little to react to in Thursday’s trading session. That lines up with past years, though, as the June WASDE report is usually fairly quiet. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the changes made to the corn numbers were relatively small. McBride said the soybean numbers had offsetting changes as well. McBride said the most impactful changes in this month’s...
What will it take to pass a farm bill?
With the current partisan stalemate in Congress in Washington D.C. it is going to be difficult to get a new farm bill passed. That’s according to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. On Monday Ag Secretary Vilsack told a group of visiting farmers union members that...
Beef industry still pursuing market access overseas
U.S. agricultural groups are looking for more trade agreements that mean market access overseas. Kent Bacus, executive director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said trade was a bigger priority in past years. Bacus said the...
2024 Iowa watershed award winners
Congrats to the 2024 Iowa Watershed Award winners An outstanding southwest Iowa watershed coordinator, a career schoolteacher (and part-time farmer), and a statewide team of oxbow restorers - all featured among this year's Iowa Watershed Award honorees. The Iowa...
Make sure your combine is properly prepped for fall
We have seen the first combines entering fields in Iowa for some early planted soybeans. That means it won’t be long before we start harvesting in earnest. There is still time to prepare your combine for the harvest season. The last thing you want is to break down in...
Investing in the future of farming
Farmers are the backbone of America. Without them, we wouldn’t have the food to sustain our society. But even with how important that job is, farmers can have a hard time with the finances of running a successful operation. Ben Gordon, founder and CEO of Fractal, said...
On-Farm Pork Impact Reports showcase sustainability
Consumers want to know that the pork industry is sustainable, and the National Pork Board can help with its On-Farm Pork Impact Reports. Al Wulfekuhle, president of the National Pork Board, said the reports show off the positive environmental impact of farms with...
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More Ag News
Ag industry still seeking some more clarity from USDA
The recent USDA guidelines on climate-smart ag practices for biofuel feedstocks has been generally received positively, but there are still some areas that need clarification. Fortunately, there is now a 60-day window for farmers to speak up about what they would like...
Tariff war is the last thing beef producers need
The North American beef cattle herd size is at a 40-year low, after several years of drought and feed shortages in primary cattle regions have taken a heavy toll on cow and heifer numbers. While cattle producers are seeing record-high prices, the beef processing...
EPA nominee Zeldin vows clarity in WOTUS rules, timeliness on RVOs
Former Congressman Lee Zeldin was recently questioned at his Senate confirmation hearing for the post of EPA Administrator. At the hearing Zeldin vowed to provide more clarity on WOTUS rules, timeliness on renewable volume targets, and cooperation with USDA. Zeldin...
U.S. agriculture dominated by family farms
In 2023, roughly 86 percent of all farms were small family farms. A USDA report says these farms have a gross cash income below $350,000 and operate on 41 percent of all U.S. agricultural land. The family farms produced 17 percent of the total value of U.S....
La Niña has brought drier trends back
After a double-dip La Niña in 2022 and 2023, we were relieved to see El Niño return to start 2024, bringing us back a mild winter and more moisture. After a few years of heavy drought, farmers breathed a sigh of relief. However, it was soon announced that we were...
