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Lawmakers divided on whether Farm Bill can be passed in 2026
Congressional Republicans plan to revive stalled farm bill negotiations in January after failing to pass a new measure by year’s end, extending uncertainty for farmers facing high costs, inflation and trade disruptions. House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson said he hopes to schedule a committee markup ahead of a Jan. 30 funding deadline, though he acknowledged it may be difficult to attach the bill to must-pass spending legislation. The delay means Congress will enter a third year...
Lessons learned from this growing season to be applied next year
Every growing season is like a year spent in the agronomy classroom for growers. Every time a farmer thinks they have seen it all, mother nature finds a way to throw a curveball. This year disease pressure was prevalent throughout the Corn Belt and southern rust was...
Covering both genotypes of PCV2 with one vaccine
One of the most influential diseases in the swine industry is porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). What makes it tricky to handle is the fact that there are two strains to worry about: PCV2a and PCV2d, with the latter having taken over as the predominant genotype in U.S....
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza detected in a commercial turkey flock in Hamilton County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1 HPAI) in a commercial turkey flock in...
AFBF emphasizes need for economic assistance
There are still many challenges facing farm country. During a recent phone call with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins, American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall took the opportunity to discuss two important issues facing agriculture. Duvall said he had a great...
Iowa dairy farmers brace for market & labor challenges in 2026
As 2025 winds down, northwest Iowa dairy farms are taking stock of a year that brought both optimism and new pressures. Sioux County dairy producer Christina Zuiderveen says harvest conditions set a positive tone, even though the year still delivered its share of...
Iowa Pork and Fareway serve up warm meals for Giving Tuesday
Today, Fareway Stores and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) teamed up with Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) for the ninth annual Giving Tuesday breakfast. Hundreds of warm meals were prepared and served to individuals experiencing homelessness...
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More Ag News
Establish and maintain a strong crop protection program in 2026
Throughout harvest, farmers are monitoring their fields for problem areas. Now that harvest is wrapped up, it’s time to take those observations and start making some plans for next year. Will Griffin of Valent said a strong pre-emerge program can protect the...
Forecasting winter temperatures and precipitation
The latest weather outlook from the National Weather Service is calling for a La Nina weather pattern that will dictate temperature and precipitation patterns for the winter months. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that recent very cold temperatures are in line...
First confirmation of ASF in Spain since 1994
Late last month, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in Spain for the first time since 1994. ASF was first found in two dead wild boars in the Barcelona area, located in the Catalonia region. Eleven more wild boars, found dead in the same area, later tested...
China’s deadline moved to February
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent extended an earlier deadline for Beijing’s purchases of American soybeans from December to February. Bessent said China is on pace to meet its pledge to buy 12 million metric tons of U.S. soybeans by the end of February. Bloomberg said...
ASA urges real movement in soybean trade talks
Soybean farmers have been navigating one of the most difficult trade years in recent memory. Tariffs, months of stalled demand, and unpredictable movement from key buyers have shaped the 2025 market in ways few expected. American Soybean Association President Caleb...
