Top Stories
How will proposed H-2A changes impact farmers and farmworkers?
In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop to around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in Washington, and will go lower in other states as well. Enrique Gastelum, CEO of the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, said these proposed changes are far from a “silver bullet,” but he feels this will help farmers and perhaps...
Putting safety first when managing manure systems
Manure from hog operations is a renewable, sustainable resource that adds significant value to agricultural systems. However, as with all aspects of agriculture, safety is the first priority when managing manure systems says Marguerite Tan, director of environmental...
Fall tillage and field angles matter for Iowa soybeans
It has been a smooth fall across most of Iowa, with combines running steadily and fields opening up early. Harvest went about as well as anyone could hope for, but that does not mean the season was without its challenges. Disease pressure was the bigger story in 2025,...
RFID technology protects swine industry with traceability
No matter how prepared we think the swine industry is, it’s always important to stay vigilant against foreign animal diseases. If an outbreak were to occur, efficient and accurate swine traceability may help reduce the number of animals impacted and the response time....
“Cantina Vibes” promotes U.S. variety meats in Mexico
Variety meat exports provide critical returns for U.S. pork and beef producers, and Mexico is a leading destination for these products. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is promoting pork and beef variety meat items to bars and casual restaurants in Mexico as an...
A new tool for Iowa growers to battle white mold in soybeans
White mold is a major robber of soybean yields, and it has become a big enough issue for growers that BASF has developed a new tool designed to battle the threat. Zorina™ Fungicide has received EPA registration approval and will be available for growers next season...
Secretary Naig requests nominations for renewable fuels marketing awards
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today invited Iowans to nominate fuel marketers and gas stations in their communities for the Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards. The Secretary’s annual awards recognize retailers that go above and beyond in their efforts to...
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More Ag News
U.S. Export Sales Estimates (11-13-25)
With the end of the government shutdown, this will be the last time for the foreseeable future that we will only have export estimates to look at. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales are still expected to be strong. Over in the soybeans,...
Rare bipartisan agreement on USDA in bill to reopen government
In a rare show of bipartisanship Republicans and Democrats came together to pass the USDA spending bill, which was a part of the bill that reopened the government. The USDA spending bill was one of just three full-year spending bills passed. Here is top Ag...
Ag groups react to the end of the government shutdown
American agriculture groups reacted positively to the official end of the government shutdown this week. “American cattle producers need their government running at full capacity to provide critical services and market data,” said Ethan Lane, the senior vice president...
On-farm report expands sustainability beyond the barn
Sustainability for America’s pig farmers is about doing what’s right for pigs, people, and the planet—guided by the industry’s We Care® ethical principles. The Pork Cares Farm Impact Report program helps strengthen market demand for pork, foster valuable partnerships...
Rollins heads USDA Mexico trade mission and screwworm review
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins led the largest USDA agribusiness trade mission ever assembled during a visit to Mexico City last week. The delegation included forty one American companies, more than thirty commodity groups and advocacy groups, six state...
