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The most valuable commodity? Getting home safe
Next week is Farm Safety Week, and it’s a good reminder for all of us in agriculture to think carefully about how we approach safety during harvest. But the truth is, one week of reminders won’t cut it. Safety has to stick with us through the whole season, because the dangers don’t disappear once this week is over. Harvest is one of the most exciting times of the year. After months of planning, planting, and watching the crop grow, we finally get to bring it in. But let’s not sugarcoat it—it’s...
Iowa soybean fields need to end the year strong
It may feel like there isn’t much of a choice for seed genetics anymore, but companies like BASF are making an effort to provide new genetics that stand out from the competition and give farmers some unique choices. Colin Rogers, BASF seed agronomist, said Xitavo...
Yield results from Allendale survey lower than USDA estimates
The Allendale brokerage firm has released yield results collected from a recent survey of farmers. The numbers are not particularly far off from the USDA August Crop Production estimates. Rich Nelson of Allendale said they’ve done this survey for a long time. Nelson...
Nationwide E15 sales can boost demand and help move “mountain of corn”
At this point of the fall, we can analyze the data and debate the final corn yield number but until the crop is in the bin, we won’t have our final answer. What we do know is that this fall’s corn crop is going to be very large and possibly even a record crop. Geoff...
NCGA highlights high production costs amid crisis
The National Corn Growers Association continued to raise the alarm about the economic crisis hitting rural America, as commodity prices drop at a time when input costs remain at near-record highs. As NCGA urges Congress and the administration to act to drive increased...
USDA forecasts farm income rise amid cost pressures
Despite falling crop prices and stubbornly high input costs, USDA’s latest farm income forecast points to stronger bottom lines in 2025. The report, released on Wednesday, projects net farm income to climb well above earlier expectations, marking a reversal after...
Consistent soil testing can help detect soybean cyst nematodes
One of the most problematic soybean pests is also one of the most difficult to detect. And once it’s in your field, it’s there for good. Dylan Mangel, SCN Coalition plant pathologist, said farmers need to be alert and take preventative actions against soybean cyst...
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More Ag News
July was strong for pork exports, weak for beef
July exports of U.S. pork were slightly below last year but accounted for a larger share of production, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Market access obstacles continued to weigh heavily on exports of U.S....
Ethanol industry looks to ramp up push for year-round E15
The California general assembly’s approval of E15 sales in the state has given the ethanol industry the latest opportunity to seek new avenues for Congress to legislate year-round E15 sales nationally. Governor Gavin Newsom still needs to sign off on the state’s bill,...
Wider tassel wrap issues put focus on genetics
Many Midwest farmers are finding more tassel wrap in their fields this season than in years past. The condition occurs when tassels remain trapped within the plant’s upper leaves, limiting pollen shed and interfering with pollination. That lack of pollination can lead...
Some Iowa farmers are starting harvest already
Believe it or not, there are some combines running in the fields in Iowa already. With the heavy moisture we saw at the beginning of planting season, there’s going to be a lot of variance in harvest dates across the state. Jamie Horton, DEKALB/Asgrow technical...
Secretary Naig announces $200,000 investment in the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is investing an additional $200,000 for the second full year of the Choose Iowa Farms to Food Banks Program. Under the Department's Choose Iowa...
