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USDA watching western drought, Midwest summer outlook
Summer weather patterns remain difficult to predict heading into the heart of the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says current forecast models continue pointing toward ongoing drought concerns across much of the western United States. Speaking during a weather briefing in Washington, D.C., Rippey said forecasters are currently caught between fading La Niña conditions and the expected development of El Niño later this year. Rippey, who authors the weekly U.S. Drought...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-28-26)
The weather in Brazil is continuing to dry out, which is causing concerns as the crops go through the critical pollination phase. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said harvest is slowly...
Now is a great time for cattle producers to make succession plans
Farm and ranch families across the country are beginning to realize that succession planning can’t wait any longer. Dr. Shannon Ferrell, an agricultural economist at Oklahoma State University said now is a great time to think about succession planning with the current...
Grassley discusses path forward for permanent E15 legislation
A recent introduction of an amendment to the House farm bill would permanently allow nationwide, year-round sales of E15 and would help provide certainty to corn growers and fuel retailers. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the decision to...
Secretary Naig thanks Iowa Senate for unanimous passage of Iowa Farm Act
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today thanked the Iowa Senate for its unanimous passage of the Iowa Farm Act, Senate File 2465, by a vote of 47-0. “I appreciate members of the Iowa Senate for their support in advancing the Iowa Farm Act with a strong...
Trade deals only first step for USDA
As new trade agreements take shape, USDA officials say the next step is making sure those deals translate into real opportunities for U.S. agriculture. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says securing market access is only...
Rollins says bird flu vaccine still not ready
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says that a bird flu vaccine is still not ready for a full rollout although efforts to produce an effective vaccine are still underway. Bird flu has not been as prevalent in headlines recently, but Rollins says that USDA is still very...
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More Ag News
Growers fear 2027 prices will put fertilizer out of reach
A recent survey by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) left no doubt that high fertilizer prices will continue to be a big concern for farmers, especially in 2027. NCGA President Jed Bower talked about the ag community is on the verge of having some very big...
Midwest’s premier dairy conference is happening next month
One of the longest-running dairy nutrition conferences in the country will take place again this year from June 3-4 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference- a collaboration between the extension services of Iowa State...
More reaction to house farm bill passage
U.S. agriculture groups continued to react to the House of Representatives’ passing of its 2026 Farm Bill. “Instead of caving to attacks on the livestock industry from groups posing as farmers and ranchers, a bipartisan group advanced a bill that will provide needed...
Farm Bill Clears House as E15 Waits
The U.S. House has now passed its version of the Farm Bill, but just hours before that final vote, lawmakers were still working through the steps needed to bring the legislation to the floor. Speaking Wednesday morning, just minutes before the House began voting on...
Farm Bureau applauds House passage of 2026 farm bill
After several months of work and negotiation, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the farm bill, with a bipartisan vote. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau...
