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US hog inventory edges lower; productivity ticks up
The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 73.7 million head as of June 1, down slightly from a year earlier and from March, USDA said Thursday in its quarterly report. Market hogs accounted for 67.8 million head, while 5.88 million were kept for breeding, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the smaller herd, production indicators improved. Producers weaned 33.5 million pigs from March through May, slightly above last year, with an average of 11.87 pigs per...
Secretary Naig announces availability of Choose Iowa value-added grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is once again offering Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants to expand the availability of Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made foods, beverages, and other...
USDA forecasts continued ag trade deficits as imports surge, exports lag
USDA is projecting another record ag trade deficit this fiscal year as imports surge and exports drop. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says that USDA expects ag imports to outpace exports for the third fiscal year in a row. That total makes up more than $215 billion...
Naig talks about what he wants from Trump 2.0
There aren’t many days left on the Congressional calendar, and a ton of work has been put off for long enough. In what has become more the rule, rather than the exception, we face another government shutdown and another year without updated farm and food legislation....
U.S. ag commodities have always worked together
For many generations, both corn and soybeans have been a high-quality feed for livestock, and the livestock have provided rich manure to fertilize the crops. Gordon Spronk, vice president of the National Pork Board, said the sustainability circle between livestock and...
The correct seed decision considers more than just yield
The first decision of a producer’s growing season is also one of the most important. Selecting the right seed. Not only for your operation but for each segment of your operation, down to the specific field. Robert Cossar is a market activation manager with CROPLAN and...
Secretary Naig opens sign-up for crop insurance discount program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the sign-up for the state’s Crop Insurance Discount Program is now open and available. Farmers who planted cover crops this fall can apply for a $5 per acre discount on their spring crop insurance premiums....
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IDALS receives notice of bankruptcy for Benson Hill Holdings, Inc.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been notified that Benson Hill Holdings, Inc., of St. Louis, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy effective March 20, 2025. Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. holds a grain dealer license in Iowa. Anyone with unpaid...
GHX Durastak™ ready to battle Corn Root Worm
Corn rootworm, often called the "billion-dollar pest," is one of the most destructive threats to Iowa's cornfields. These insects, particularly the larvae, feed on corn roots, causing significant yield losses and increasing susceptibility to drought and lodging. With...
Protecting crops against deadly soybean diseases
White mold and sudden death syndrome are two diseases that can wipe out your soybean crops very quickly, so it’s important to take the necessary steps to prevent those from infecting your fields. Jared Cottonie, marketing manager with Heads Up Plant Protectants, said...
Previewing the USDA Prospective Plantings and Grain Stocks reports
It has been fairly quiet in the ag markets this week with mostly range bound trading ahead of the release of USDA’s Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports. The reports will be published by USDA on Monday March 31st. In preparation for the reports...
Groups ask for permanent extension of Section 199A
A large number of organizations representing farmers, ranchers, forest owners, agricultural cooperatives, and industry stakeholders sent a letter to Congressional leaders regarding Section 199A in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. “We urge Congress to permanently extend the...
