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Pork industry balances profit and patience
The latest USDA data is giving pork producers plenty to think about as they look toward 2026. After a year of steady profitability, markets are showing a softer tone heading into fall, but the fundamentals remain solid. The most recent Hogs and Pigs Report provided a fresh look at inventories and production trends, suggesting a slightly tighter supply picture than analysts had anticipated. Lee Schulz, chief economist at Ever.Ag, says those government reports are an important place to start...
The battle against New World Screwworm continues
Recently, U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S.-Mexico border would reopen for cattle shipments in phases after ports of entry were closed to limit the spread of New World Screwworm. This will help level out the balance between biosecurity and...
Drought coverage for crops and commodities mostly in decline
The month of June provided favorable weather conditions for crop growth for much of the Midwest including Iowa. Consistent, timely rainfall for most of Iowa with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures has set Iowa up well for the heart of the growing season. USDA...
American Butter Institute urges FDA to take action against a new “dairy-free butter” product
A new product from Country Crock labeled as “dairy-free butter” has sparked growing concern within the dairy industry. Under the current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), butter is defined as a product made “exclusively from milk or cream, or both.” This means that...
Alongside President Trump in Iowa, Secretary Rollins calls for celebration of America 250
President Donald J. Trump held a massive celebration on the eve of Independence Day at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where he launched the year-long Great American State Fair in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The Great American State Fair will travel across the...
China trade impasse drags down May U.S. red meat exports
Global trade is continuing to impact cattle and hog prices in Iowa and across the entire country. Exports of U.S. pork and beef trended lower in May, due primarily to steep declines in shipments to China, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S....
Congress plans to scrap USDA climate hubs, following Trump guidance
The Ames, Iowa-based Midwest Climate Hub, which along with the other 10 regional climate hubs under the USDA, is slated to be cut from the federal agriculture budget. The U.S. House appropriations bill that sets the 2026 fiscal year budgets for agriculture, rural...
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Iowa producers can optimize grain storage with GrainVue
For many years, grain storage has been a largely manual process. Once the grain is in the bin, farmers have to constantly monitor the conditions to make sure nothing spoils and leads to yield loss. However, the latest technology makes it to where grain storage...
Indonesia trade deal could remove burdensome non-tariff barriers
Last week, the White House announced a framework for negotiating a trade agreement with Indonesia. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said that, while Indonesian tariffs on U.S. red meat are only 5%, the country places...
Forcivo fungicide to bring extended residual control to Iowa fields
New tools to help control foliar disease are always welcomed by farmers and the latest fungicide from Corteva Agriscience is close to market availability for growers in Iowa. Forcivo™ Fungicide boasts three active ingredients and extended residual control to give...
Representatives Flood and Carter reintroduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Information Act
U.S. Representatives Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Troy A. Carter, Sr., D-La., have reintroduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Information Act. The SAF Information Act directs the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to include data on SAF in its Petroleum...
Low supply keeps Iowa farmland values firm
Iowa farmland remains one of the most closely watched indicators of the state’s agricultural economy strength. Even with falling commodity prices and tighter profit margins, interest in ground across the state hasn’t let up. Farmers and landowners alike are keeping a...
