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Passing the heart of Thanksgiving from one generation to another
Thanksgiving is one of those rare holidays that feels familiar before it even begins. It starts with the smell of the food, the sound of the parade, and the rhythm of a day that never really changes. Growing up on the farm, we did not have to travel far. My grandparents lived only three-quarters of a mile away, and the farms were connected by an old field road that felt like a private highway just for our family. The drive took only a couple of minutes, but even as a kid, it felt like a...
USDA cancels Household Food Security Report as food insecurity increases
Even as food insecurity continues to rise, the USDA has moved to terminate all future Household Food Security Reports. The announcement, which was ironically made during Hunger Action Month, is another blow to the food banks and pantries across the country that are...
Northwest Iowa crops nearing the finish line and the start of harvest
Harvest for corn and soybeans is not in full swing yet in northwest Iowa but combines will be out in force very soon. Northwest Iowa Beck’s Hybrids agronomist Eric Bartels says that harvest for silage corn is underway. Bartels mentions the target moisture level for...
Updated FMMOs show significant farmer losses in first few months
The years-long process of updating Federal Milk Marketing Orders finally concluded earlier this year, when final changes went into effect. The Federal Milk Marketing Orders govern how processors purchase milk from dairy farmers in defined marketing areas across the...
Secretary Naig urges Iowans to prioritize safety, mental health this harvest season
With the busy harvest season commencing across the state, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is urging Iowans to keep safety top of mind in the field, around the farm and on the road. Farming can be physically exhausting and mentally demanding, and agriculture...
Nutrien’s ‘Click and Mortar’ approach powers new hub
Nutrien Ag Solutions has introduced a new digital platform designed to make farm management easier and more connected. The Nutrien Hub, recently released, serves as a one-stop shop where growers can securely access account information, review invoices, make payments,...
Tassel wrap issues originate from seed genetics
One of the biggest crop issues this year was tassel wrap, which severely limited the ability of affected corn plants from pollinating. This issue is also unique in that it isn’t caused by a pest or disease- tassel wrap is actually a genetic issue. As a result, some...
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Financial stress, flexible solutions: Nutrien helps farmers adapt
On Monday, we looked at the pressures weighing on farmers as high interest rates, shifting lending practices, and tighter margins challenged the financial side of agriculture. Those concerns left one clear takeaway: producers will need reliable tools to navigate an...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-7-25)
With the current government shutdown, the markets are looking for any headlines to react to. There’s definitely a watchful eye on the crop conditions in Brazil and Argentina, but some political meetings may cause more of a shakeup. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Crop farmers still facing a rough ag economy
As the broader ag economy continues to struggle, row crop farmers face a particularly difficult time. Now, many farmers and ranchers are studying their balance sheets. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the difficult ag economy is...
Senator says time is running out for US growers, help needed now
United States Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) told the Senate that U.S. growers can’t wait much longer for help from Washington. Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer says that the combination of high input costs and uncertainty in trade has brought farm finances dangerously close...
Secretary Naig announces grants to bolster access to E15, biodiesel in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 48 grants, totaling more than $1.86 million, to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These...
