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Supporters plot E15 strategy in the Senate
Supporters of year-round E15 gasoline sales are making another push in Congress, but significant hurdles remain before the measure can become law. Backers of the proposal are working to attach E15 language to a larger must-pass bill in hopes of advancing the policy through a closely divided U.S. Senate. The effort would allow nationwide sales of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol throughout the year, a move strongly supported by corn growers and the ethanol industry. Industry groups are...
Secretary Naig announces new Choose Iowa food purchasing pilot program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program – Food Bank Pilot. The pilot program, which was authorized during the 2024 legislative session and is an initiative of the state’s Choose Iowa Program, aims...
Return of wet conditions means the return of mosquitoes
There were a few things that became a new normal while we dealt with the drought of the past couple of years. A lot of it was unpleasant. Dry ground, brown grass, and fire hazards were just a few we can name. However, if you were going to look for a silver lining in...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-30-24)
For the last few months, the weather has been mostly static in South America, and that trend isn’t getting bucked any time soon. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said Brazil is still seeing dry weather in its major growing areas. McBride said it’s the same...
Corn and soybeans benefitting from recent weather conditions
In many of the nation’s key corn and soybean growing regions, the last couple of weeks have been slightly dry but not too hot. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the recent lack of extreme heat has been beneficial for row crops during a critical portion of the...
HPAI continues to impact dairy and poultry industries
The current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which traces all the way back to 2022, is unusual in not only the fact that it’s infecting dairy cattle, but also that cases are continuing to be diagnosed in the warmer summer months. Bernt Nelson, an...
USDA extends comment period on packers and stockyards rule
The USDA recently extended the 60-day comment period for the latest Packers and Stockyards Act proposal by 15 days. Tanner Beymer, senior director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says that’s not enough time for USDA to properly...
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More Ag News
Hemmes reflects on time on United Soybean Board (Part 1)
The best promotion we can ask for is the word of those in the fields and feedlots across our country, advocating for the producers. Telling the first-hand story of the American farmer resonates with our customers domestically and internationally. As the second largest...
ICA CEO had an exciting first year in new position
Just as the cattle industry as a whole is always changing, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has also seen plenty of change this year. This includes the CEO position, where Bryan Whaley has stepped in and led the organization over the past year. Speaking at the annual...
Using data to provide more accurate crop insurance coverage
Crop insurance is a valuable tool for farms across the country, but imprecise data collection and record keeping can limit what a producer gets from their coverage. Nick Lewitt is a precision ag specialist with RCIS and he says that accurate data can allow a farmer to...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-12-24)
We’ve been seeing high-performing export sales for several weeks now, but this week’s report brought some weaker numbers. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both corn and soybeans were a little disappointing. While the number of flash sales has dropped off,...
Secretary Naig announces the expansion of cattle and conservation working lands project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is expanding its popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project into Adams County, the eighth county to join the project. The southwest Iowa...
