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South American Weather and Crop Update (6-23-26)
Once again, the weather forecasts in South America are leaning more towards drier weather. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both Brazil and Argentina should see a lack of rain. McBride said that, once the El Nino weather pattern kicks in more, South America could see even more dry weather. Right now, however, the dry weather won’t impact much directly, as both Brazil and Argentina are going through harvest. McBride said harvest in Brazil is still in the very early stages. McBride...
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...
Prioritizing nutrition means prioritizing pork
Mindful Choicemakers are one of the seven segments the National Pork Board identified in its segmentation survey. Kristen Hicks-Roof, director of human nutrition for the National Pork Board, said the segment prioritizes healthy eating. Of course, pork is a nutritious...
Vilsack makes urgent call for last-minute farm bill
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says time is nearly up and it must be decided if there will or won’t be a new farm bill this year. He told members of the American Farmland Trust that action is needed. Vilsack says as a shortened lame-duck session of Congress quickly...
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ISU Seed Science Center leading the way nationally and internationally
The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is a national and international leader in seed research, education, technology transfer, and international seed programs. The center assists with teaching, research, and extension programs on seed in the College of...
Delayed tariffs set to go into effect next week
Time is running out on the 30-day delay on the implementation of President Trump’s tariffs. The tariffs on Mexico and Canada are set to go into effect next week, and Canada has already announced plans for retaliation. Betty Resnick, an economist with the American Farm...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-26-25)
After an extended period of dry weather, there’s now plenty of rain in South America. In fact, it has rained so much that they are now worried about having too much rain. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and...
NPPC President Lori Stevermer testifies before Senate and discusses Prop 12
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minn., brought the industry’s point of view to the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee today through her “Perspectives from the Field” hearing...
Slowing equipment purchases highlight pressures on the rural economy
The downturn in commodity prices doesn’t just impact farmers—it sends shockwaves through the entire agricultural economy, affecting everyone from equipment dealers to rural retailers. When farmers tighten their budgets, they spend less on machinery, supplies, and even...
