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Hog inventories up in March
The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from USDA shows an increase in inventories. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell says the total number of hogs in the U.S. is up compared to this time a year ago. McConnell says hog inventories remain stable, adding that lower breeding numbers are offsetting increasing market hog inventories for the quarter. He says that when examining the last two quarters inventories have expanded despite the breeding herd remaining stable. McConnell says the...
How Southern Rust changed Iowa corn plans
Just ahead of the 2025 growing season, many in the crop protection industry expected tar spot to be the primary disease concern in corn. Instead, southern rust emerged as the dominant threat across much of Iowa, forcing growers to quickly evaluate their management...
Uncertainty grows over future of U.S. farm bill legislation
Agriculture policy analysts say 2026 could mark the end of the traditional five-year U.S. farm bill era, as lawmakers struggle to produce comprehensive legislation. The most recent farm bill provisions expired in 2023 and Congress has extended them annually since,...
PFI accepting applications for another year of the Cover Crop Business Accelerator
Enrollment is open now for the Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) Cover Crop Business Accelerator program, with applications being accepted on a rolling basis. The program, which started in 2020, offers tailored business coaching, technical guidance, and financial...
New dietary guidelines unveiled by HHS and USDA
Trump administration cabinet members this week introduced the newest edition of federal Dietary Guidelines for Americans covering the years 2025 through 2030. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins summed up the guidelines succinctly with the phrase, “eat real food.”...
Economists predict the farm economy will stabilize in 2026
Agricultural economists are predicting that the slide in the U.S. farm economy will stop in the new year. However, an AgWeb report said that doesn’t mean the ag economy will be whole again. The December Ag Economists’ Monthly Monitor showed monthly sentiment is...
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association welcomes new leadership to board of directors
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, recently elected new leadership to its Board of Directors, with the Executive Committee being announced at the annual meeting held at the 2025 Iowa...
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Iowa farmers press E15 message as President Trump visits
As President Trump visits the Des Moines metro today with a focus on energy, the economy, and affordability, Iowa agriculture leaders are watching closely. While the visit brings renewed attention to biofuels, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the message from...
Weather may be more impactful than Cattle on Feed report
Last week’s Cattle on Feed Report didn’t appear to be a market mover. Kyle Bumsted, a livestock market analyst from Allendale, said the report had a very neutral tone. Bumsted said there were signs of early heifer retention late last year, but that doesn’t appear to...
Economic issues impact small communities the hardest
Declining farm income, reduced equipment sales, rising inventory and financing pressures, and trade uncertainty all create ripple effects that impact farmers and the communities they are a part of. A recent hearing with the Senate Committee on Small Business and...
U.S. beef attracts global interest at Gulfood show
With support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is promoting U.S. beef at Gulfood in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Gulfood is one of the world’s largest annual food trade shows, attracting prospective buyers not only...
Cattle on Feed Report shows continuing tight supplies
USDA published the first Cattle on Feed Report of the year on Friday January 23rd with few surprises included. USDA livestock economist Michael McConnell says that tightening cattle and beef supplies were demonstrated in the numbers. McConnell says placements in...
