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Spring bird migration enhances HPAI threat
The spring migratory season brings with it the renewed threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI. Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, is reminding farmers and others to take all necessary precautions. The H5N1 strain of avian influenza is present in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in U.S. domestic birds and dairy cattle. Hoskins asks farmers to lean on USDA’s APHIS experts for guidance and help in preventing spread. For...
HPAI detected in a multi-species backyard flock in Buena Vista County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a multi-species backyard flock in...
National Pork Industry Forum shapes the future of U.S. pork
As the pork industry’s largest annual meeting across both the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board, the National Pork Industry Forum in Kansas City, Missouri, brings together producers and industry stakeholders from across the country. Rob...
CROPLAN Offers Crop Management Advice for Iowa
As Iowa farmers prepare for another growing season, agronomists say planning ahead for disease pressure and crop management decisions can help growers stay ahead of potential problems. Jeff Osterhaus with CROPLAN says many conversations with farmers right now focus on...
Iowa Soybean Association is evolving to face ag industry issues
This year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio saw a record number of farmers in attendance. In many discussions throughout the event, it was clear that farmers are prepared to give this crop season their all, no matter what challenges they may face. Aaron Putze, chief...
Expanding export markets for U.S. biofuels
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden is bullish on export opportunities for U.S. produced biofuels. Vaden was a speaker at this year’s USDA Ag Outlook Forum and says the potential for biofuel exports is ever expanding. Vaden says that U.S. biofuels are a key...
SNAP funding debate slows farm bill markup process
The House Ag farm bill markup has entered its second day, but the key stumbling block to a bipartisan bill has now come into sharp focus. The fight over SNAP versus farm programs has kept a new farm bill off the books for at least three years. Republicans got around...
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NPPC welcomes new leadership
The National Pork Producers Council elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-2027 term. These experienced leaders will guide NPPC’s advocacy efforts, advancing policies that support growth, sustainability, and long-term...
USDA Bridge Assistance Payments already reaching farmers
Farmers across the country are already signing up for the new Farmer Bridge Assistance payments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was designed to provide short term financial relief to producers ahead of the 2026 growing season, and USDA...
House Ag Committee approves Farm Bill 2.0 with bipartisan support
Last week, the House Ag Committee passed Farm Bill 2.0, which means that the legislation will now be up to the full House of Representatives for consideration. This is great news for the ag industry, as much of the legislation from the 2018 farm bill is far outdated....
U.S. beef regaining market share in Colombia
U.S. beef exports to Colombia rebounded last year, climbing 23% in volume (4,232 metric tons) and 77% in value ($40.8 million) compared to 2024 – when the Colombian government-imposed restrictions on U.S. beef due to avian influenza detected in some U.S. dairy herds....
New seed delivery system designed to deliver more even emergence
Agriculture technology is always striving to make improvements to equipment that can enhance a farmer’s ability to optimize performance. ArrowTube is the latest piece of ag technology from Precision Planting and was on display at the PTx booth at this year’s Commodity...
