Top Stories
Top considerations when planning a calving barn
As attention to livestock production intensifies, producers continue to evaluate the benefits of calving barns for enhancing both livestock management and operational efficiency, according to Dennis Lee, farm product line manager for Morton Buildings. Lee cites important considerations to design a calving barn that promotes efficiency and animal well-being. Lee says construction quality is also essential when planning a new calving barn or other livestock facilities. For more information,...
The future for Sustainable Aviation Fuel is still murky
The future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax treatment is still murky with questions still to be answered despite months of regulatory efforts and calls to include the treatment of SAF crops in the House farm bill. As biofuel producers and feedstock growers await...
Secretary Naig provides H5N1/HPAI update
Iowa has joined this spring’s list of states that have been affected by High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and H5N1. It’s the same virus but has gone under a new moniker as the virus mutated to affect dairy cattle and humans. Iowa has had a few cases spring up so...
World Pork Expo holds first Youth Issues Contest
At this year’s World Pork Expo, the National Pork Producers Council launched their inaugural Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet. This competitive speaking event is aimed at young people aged 17-22 to help explore issues facing the pork industry. We talked with three of...
Grassley discusses farm bill framework from Senate Ag Republicans
This week Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, unveiled the Senate Republican-drafted framework of the farm bill. Republicans have been stating for months that there should be more “farm in the farm bill.” Senate Ag committee...
Reflecting on the outstanding “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” campaign
A marketing initiative by the Iowa Pork Producers Association went viral last football season, encouraging consumers to purchase more ham and bacon through a clever name association. Kevin Hall, Iowa Pork Producers Association Communications Director, said the idea...
Uneventful June WASDE provides little market support
We weren’t expecting much from this month’s WASDE report, and those expectations turned out to be correct. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this was a very neutral report. However, McBride said that this neutral report does not change the issues we’ll face...
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More Ag News
Farm Credit System income up seven percent to $5.91 billion
The Farm Credit System reported that combined net income was relatively stable at $1.98 billion for the third quarter of 2024, as compared with $2 billion for the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ending on September 20, 2024, FCS’s combined net income...
Northern Iowa agronomist reviews 24 and previews 25
As harvest wraps up, we are taking stock of what we learned from this year. We are also having to make plans for 2025. With tighter profit margins, farmers have some very tough choices. Dekalb/Asgrow agronomist Rich Judge joins us in this featured conversation.
World Food Prize laureates receive their honor
World Food Prize week in Iowa culminated last Thursday with the award of what is considered the "Nobel Prize of Agriculture.” The laureate awards were awarded to two advocates of plant genetic diversity and global seed banks. World Food Prize Foundation President...
Farm loans soar as ag economy deteriorates
Farmers are taking out loans at a rate and scale not seen in years as weakened crop prices weigh on the agricultural sector, according to a report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The volume of new operating loans increased at its fastest pace since 2017,...
Rural Mainstreet Index showing lackluster results
The economy has been in a weird place. The DOW is strong, the dollar is strong, job numbers seem better than anticipated, and consumers are still paying for what they want. However, buying power is lower because prices are higher. Look no further than your local...
