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Midwest set up for beneficial growing conditions
Last week the Midwest and the Corn Belt experienced widespread severe weather with storms, damaging winds, and heavy rains. This week the weather pattern should be more tame but with adequate rainfall still helping crops through critical growth stages says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Rippey says the Midwest is in line for beneficial rainfall for pastures and crops as pollination draws near. Rippey adds that with critical growth stages approaching for U.S. crops, rainfall will be welcome...
Fertilizer price probe opens as farm margins tighten
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an industrywide investigation into fertilizer prices after sharp increases during spring planting. Reuters reported that FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency is using civil investigative demands to gather documents and...
USMEF says African Growth and Opportunity Act could help create trade access
The Africa Growth and Opportunities Act (AGOA), which was created to incentivize two-way trade between the U.S. and sub-Saharan African countries, allows the president to offer duty-free access to certain nations. However, some of the countries benefitting from AGOA...
Interior official highlights ranchers’ stewardship role
When I was in Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several issues affecting western livestock producers. One topic that generated significant discussion was...
Grain markets could see another price rally in June
After making recent highs, the corn and soybeans prices have been somewhat in the red, leading some farmers to wonder if they missed out on potential profits. However, they may have another chance to take advantage of a price rally. Micheal Weidner, director of grain...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-29-26)
This week’s export sales were on the lower end for both corn and soybeans. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn sales are still at elevated levels. McBride said that the soybean sales, on the other hand, are still lagging behind. McBride said...
Domestic food trade shows open foreign market opportunities
A recent food trade show in Chicago illustrates the importance of such events in promoting U.S. farm and food goods to customers from across the globe. USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says that there are other ways to...
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Drought pressures western rangeland management
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about the challenges facing western rangelands as drought conditions continue to affect large portions of the...
New research studies connection between PRRS and gastric ulcer development in pigs
Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome, or PRRS, is a disease that is always top-of-mind for swine producers. On top of its primary symptoms, there are many side effects that can occur in infected hogs. Boehringer Ingelheim has led some new research into the...
USDA finalizes specialty crop assistance program details
The USDA announced it has finalized the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, announced late last year. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the funds are part of the USDA’s broader Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The...
Taste What Pork Can Do is celebrating global flavors
The Taste What Pork Can Do® campaign from the National Pork Board launched in May 2025 with the aim of getting younger generations of consumers interested in buying more pork. Jose De Jesus is vice president of market growth with the National Pork Board and he says...
Farmers trim input costs as profit margins remain tight
Farmers across the Corn Belt are reducing spending on fertilizer, seed and crop protection products as they prepare for another year of narrow profit margins. Agricultural economists and industry analysts report that many producers are carefully managing expenses...
