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What is the outlook for meat exports in 2025?
We have had a solid year, once again, for red meat exports in 2024. Many folks are working hard behind the scenes to sustain and strengthen our existing markets and putting the same efforts into cultivating new trade opportunities around the globe. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) does much of this work. They have been a strong force in the global marketplace. 2024 was a record year for pork exports and the second-highest year for beef export values. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-24-24)
The pattern of strong export sales has continued, and this week was even stronger than the last. This is a far cry from the way we ended the last marketing year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. Flash sales...
Ag exports will suffer without a new farm bill
With the September 30 expiration of the current farm bill, many important agriculture programs are on hold, including several trade promotion programs. Betty Resnick, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said Title III programs generate outstanding...
CARB, the RFS, and used cooking oil
U.S. farmers remain hopeful that the push for renewable diesel will open a large market for the vegetable oil pressed from soybeans. However, used cooking oil, particularly from China, is also used as a feedstock in biofuels and has been depressing the need for...
Fall harvest double digits ahead of last year’s pace
Reports show the U.S. corn and soybean harvests are double digits ahead of their five-year averages. Farm Policy News credits the fast pace to dry weather stretched across most of the U.S. through the past week. Corn harvest jumped 18 points nationally to 65 percent...
South American planting is behind schedule
You don’t have to tell farmers how much Mother Nature can change our plans. In Iowa alone, we went from a multi-year drought to a period when we were caught back up in a matter of weeks. And then suddenly, we were back in a drought again. While it probably isn't...
NCBA is making lower taxes a top priority
Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expiring at the end of next year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is making a major push on tax policy. In the latest episode of the Beltway Beef Podcast, NCBA President Mark Eisele said the fight for lower taxes is very...
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South American Weather and Crop Update (10-29-24)
It was looking like the weather was going to start to dry out in South America, but there’s still plenty of rain as of right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the shift to the monsoon season in South America has gone almost exactly the way they wanted...
New National FFA President brings a passion for policy
The National FFA Organization elected its new leadership team for the next year during the recent national convention. Delegates elected Thaddeus Bergscheider of Franklin, Illinois, as the new President. Bergscheider (pictured left in the above photo) said he has deep...
NCBA responds to preliminary dietary guidelines recommendations
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is pushing back against the U.S. panel that makes recommendations to USDA and HHS on dietary guidelines. NCBA says that Americans should not be encouraged to eat less beef and instead turn to vegetables for a protein source....
U.S. cattle on feed down slightly
Despite the cattle inventory plummeting to the lowest level in 73 years, the number of cattle on feed remains surprisingly strong. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on...
Secretary Naig talking with international visitors at Borlaug Dialogue event
With the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues happening this week in Des Moines, we are seeing many international representatives in town—people who have a large say in trade relations with Iowa in particular and the U.S. in general. It is a great time for us to promote...