Top Stories
Food and ag groups call for USMCA renewal
The future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is drawing attention from agricultural groups across North America as the trade pact approaches its required six-year review this summer. Nearly 160 organizations representing the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican food and agriculture sectors recently sent a joint letter to trade officials in all three countries urging them to renew and strengthen the agreement. The Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, launched by the National Corn Growers Association,...
High-tech equipment increasing demand for larger farm sheds
We talk at length about the changes we see in technology and the larger equipment we are seeing in the fields. While we focus so much on how the technology is changing the face of farming and how it makes us more efficient with our resources and inputs, we tend to...
Abnormally wet weather creates difficult nitrogen decisions
The excessive rainfall in the Midwest, which is on top of an already mild winter, is increasing the risk of nitrogen and other nutrients leaching through the soil before the crops- specifically corn- can use them. As such, farmers must decide if they need to stick...
Public Lands Council accepting rolling submissions for research funding
The Public Lands Council (PLC) this week announced a rolling notice of funding availability that accompanies the existing grant funding process for Fiscal Year 2025. This two-track process allows individuals and organizations to submit proposals at any point during...
Grassley calls for common sense on SAF tax credits
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says the next version of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax credit needs common sense, something he says is lacking in this year’s credit that’s due to run out in December. Senator Grassley says the 45Z tax credit due by the...
U.S. hog inventory up one percent
The U.S. inventory of all hogs and pigs on June 1 was 74.5 million head. USDA says that was up one percent from June 1, 2023, and up slightly from March 1, 2024. Breeding inventory, at 6.01 million head, was down three percent from last year and down slightly from the...
Keep your sprayers in tip-top shape
As the wet weather has us thinking about fungicides, and we plan for late-season herbicides and insecticides; it is good to make sure you are doing everything you can to keep your sprayer running efficiently. Your bottom line is going to heavily weigh on this...
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More Ag News
Biosecurity increasingly important as cattle movement rises
As we see more and more cattle movement, biosecurity is becoming increasingly important. David Shirbroun, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim, said there are several things producers can do to make sure they aren’t bringing infected cattle...
Dramatically lower wholesale and retail turkey prices
As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, shoppers are pleased with the state of turkey prices at the grocery store. That’s USDA economist Michael McConnell who says that despite affordable prices at the store, the news is not as good for turkey producers who are...
Food fight: US dietary guidelines could cut meat and potatoes
Beef groups slammed recommendations for consumers to increase their protein intake via beans, peas and lentils, calling the proposal “unhinged.” A major battle is brewing over how much red meat Americans should consume — and it has the beef industry seeing red. The...
“Culture Celebrators” have a particular affinity for pork
The Culture Celebrator is one of seven consumer segments identified in an in-depth consumer segmentation study completed by the National Pork Board. Sarah Showalter, manager of business and consumer insights at NPB, said the Culture Celebrator segment shows an...
Gaining an understanding of SCN biology
We talk extensively about Soybean Cyst Nematodes, and there is a good reason. They are a fast-moving pest located in all 99 counties in Iowa. Iowa is one of only two states in the U.S. with populations in every county. The other is Illinois. So, what else can we learn...
