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First confirmation of ASF in Spain since 1994
Late last month, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in Spain for the first time since 1994. ASF was first found in two dead wild boars in the Barcelona area, located in the Catalonia region. Eleven more wild boars, found dead in the same area, later tested positive. Catalonia accounts for about 8% of Spain’s hog production. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror said Spain is the European Union’s largest pork producer and the number two global...
Ag trade deficit hit another record high in July
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit widened further in July, highlighting the challenge facing President Donald Trump as he vows to reverse the trend. Agricultural exports lagged imports by $4.97 billion in July, a gap 9% wider than a year earlier and the largest on...
Grassley warns trade stalemate hurts U.S. farmers
The Trump Administration’s approach to trade has led to prolonged uncertainty in agricultural markets, leaving farmers to contend with tighter margins and unsettled outlooks. While the intent has been to secure better terms for the United States, many of the disputes...
Raising awareness of food insecurity this Hunger Action Month
Food insecurity continues to grow in Iowa, especially in rural areas. Every single county in Iowa is experiencing heightened food insecurity- in fact, 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children don’t know where or when they will get their next meal. But if we can all work...
Golden Harvest delivering trait choices that Iowa growers need
The Golden Harvest line-up of corn is continuing to find new ways to innovate in the push for higher yields, protection from disease, and trait choices that growers want. Rex Gray is a product manager with Golden Harvest and says the Syngenta brand has been investing...
Second MAHA report listens to ag industry
The Make America Healthy Commission released its “Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy,” with more than 120 initiatives addressing childhood health. Brian Glenn, American Farm Bureau Federation Director of Government Affairs, was encouraged that the Commission...
National crop ratings dip, Iowa fares better than most
Iowa’s corn and soybean crops have had their fair share of bumps this season, from disease pressure to stretches of unfavorable weather. Even so, fields across much of the state are holding up better than expected, and in many cases better than average. That...
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More Ag News
From global shocks to local fields: Farmers pay the price
From war zones to shipping lanes, the ripple effects of geopolitical tension are reaching all the way back to Iowa’s farm gates. Farmers aren’t just watching world headlines for grain prices anymore—they’re also seeing how conflicts, trade disputes, and policy shifts...
Continuing to find new uses for American soybeans
The United Soybean Board is driving demand for U.S. soybeans in many ways, with some being more obvious choices than others. One of those underrated focuses is in non-food products like tires and asphalt. United Soybean Board Director Robb Ewoldt- who is also an Iowa...
Farmers facing a perfect storm of economic challenges
Several economic headwinds are combining to create a difficult financial environment for some farmers. Farmers, particularly those raising grain crops, are struggling economically due to a number of key challenges. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the...
USDA in Mexico looking for answers on movement of NWS infected cow
USDA staff in Mexico are investigating how a cow infected with New World Screwworm was transported from southern Mexico to a location only 70 miles from the US border. That is Deputy Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Lauren Stump, just days after...
Rollins announces suite of actions to support American farmers
On Thursday, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins spoke on the current state of the farm economy in the United States and addressed the ways President Trump is supporting American agriculture. U.S. farm production inputs are significantly more costly than four...
