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Corn growers press Congress for solutions
Corn growers from across the country are in Washington, D.C., this week for the National Corn Growers Association's Corn Congress and fly in, where they're meeting with members of Congress and administration officials to discuss the challenges facing agriculture and the policy priorities they believe can strengthen the farm economy. With another year of negative returns expected for many producers, NCGA leaders say they're focused on increasing demand, expanding export opportunities, and...
Still plenty of questions about climate-smart agriculture
There’s been a lot of discussion in recent years about the opportunities within climate-smart agriculture. It’s a far cry from how the ag industry was even 30 years ago. Jon Doggett, former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, said that, unfortunately, we’ve...
Cattle producers want to keep Section 199A
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is renewing its push for the Section 199A tax deduction. Kelsea Kemp, NCBA associate director of government affairs, said this is a very important tool for producers, and it’s one of their top priorities for the...
How Prospective Plantings estimates compare to trade expectations
On Monday USDA published the much-anticipated Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer explains where the USDA’s Prospective Plantings forecasts fall within the range of trade expectations. Meyer says that the...
Poultry markets strong but face headwinds
Improved economic conditions in many regions, together with ongoing high prices for other proteins, make poultry an attractive option for worldwide consumers. Rabobank says global consumption growth is predicted to reach 2.5 to three percent this year. This marks the...
Rollins pushes biofuel support, energy independence at Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner
The fight over biofuels in Washington continues, with policymakers debating renewable fuel standards and support for ethanol and biodiesel. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the issue Monday night at the Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, Iowa, emphasizing...
Overuse of Bt corn is harmful to overall effectiveness
Corn rootworm is the number one pest that corn growers have to manage every single year. For years, one of the top rootworm management tools has been Bt corn. However, due to widespread usage, the effectiveness of Bt corn has decreased over time. Something needs to be...
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Congress plans to scrap USDA climate hubs, following Trump guidance
The Ames, Iowa-based Midwest Climate Hub, which along with the other 10 regional climate hubs under the USDA, is slated to be cut from the federal agriculture budget. The U.S. House appropriations bill that sets the 2026 fiscal year budgets for agriculture, rural...
Retailers plans for feature protein deals for grilling season
As we are now in the heart of the summer grilling season, consumers are busy studying their weekly store fliers and ads for some featured deals in the meat section. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell explains an advertising method used by groceries and retailers...
Pushing to update conservation processes in Iowa
With the current restrictions on water usage in the Des Moines metro, water conservation practices are at the forefront of discussion. While we have many new practices that offer plenty of benefits for farmers and the nearby waterways, it can be difficult to make...
Iowa specialty crop growers can take advantage of new USDA funds
America’s specialty crop growers often face challenges that are unique to their segment of agriculture. As a result, the USDA recently started doling out funds earmarked for specialty crop growers. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American...
Grills and gatherings spotlight Iowa agriculture
Summer in Iowa means more than just sunshine and warm weather — it’s a season packed with hometown festivals, bustling county fairs, and backyard barbecues. From Main Street parades to pork chops on the grill, these events celebrate the best of Iowa communities and...
