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No relief in sight for difficult farm economy
Farmers and ranchers are continuing to struggle with a difficult farm economy. Unfortunately, a study from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows the economic situation in rural America will only get worse. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says the latest estimates show shortfalls in the billions. Parum said there are several reasons why the challenges are increasing. Even with recent federal help bolstering the rural economy, Parum said more help is...
Quick start to planting season unlikely to impact May WASDE
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the nation’s farmers are off to a fast start this planting season, which could impact the supply-side factors in their May reports. However, Iowa State University Agricultural Economist Chad Hart said...
Homegrown horticulture joins Choose Iowa program
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) continues to champion local agriculture by supporting the Choose Iowa program, a state-branded initiative connecting consumers with Iowa-grown, raised, and made products. Launched in 2022, Choose Iowa has...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-29-25)
Drier conditions are returning to South America, which is typical at this time of year. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there is some light rain in the forecast for Brazil. Argentina is more definitively dry, which is good for harvest and...
NCBA provides update on status of New World screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was notified late last fall about the detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. Since then, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has worked closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)...
NRCS celebrates 90 years of service
The 90th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service was recognized Friday in ceremonies at USDA headquarters in Washington DC. NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt says the NRCS has played a large role in conservation efforts nationwide, but that work was also...
Off-farm income keeping some operations afloat
For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running. In 2023, an AFBF Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself,...
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Iowa producers can optimize grain storage with GrainVue
For many years, grain storage has been a largely manual process. Once the grain is in the bin, farmers have to constantly monitor the conditions to make sure nothing spoils and leads to yield loss. However, the latest technology makes it to where grain storage...
Indonesia trade deal could remove burdensome non-tariff barriers
Last week, the White House announced a framework for negotiating a trade agreement with Indonesia. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said that, while Indonesian tariffs on U.S. red meat are only 5%, the country places...
Forcivo fungicide to bring extended residual control to Iowa fields
New tools to help control foliar disease are always welcomed by farmers and the latest fungicide from Corteva Agriscience is close to market availability for growers in Iowa. Forcivo™ Fungicide boasts three active ingredients and extended residual control to give...
Representatives Flood and Carter reintroduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Information Act
U.S. Representatives Mike Flood, R-Neb., and Troy A. Carter, Sr., D-La., have reintroduced the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Information Act. The SAF Information Act directs the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) to include data on SAF in its Petroleum...
Low supply keeps Iowa farmland values firm
Iowa farmland remains one of the most closely watched indicators of the state’s agricultural economy strength. Even with falling commodity prices and tighter profit margins, interest in ground across the state hasn’t let up. Farmers and landowners alike are keeping a...
