Top Stories
Drought pressures western rangeland management
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about the challenges facing western rangelands as drought conditions continue to affect large portions of the country. Budd-Falen said those conditions are forcing difficult decisions for both ranchers and federal land managers as they work to balance livestock production, wildlife needs, and long-term resource health. Budd-Falen said...
Farm Credit offers industry-leading expertise for swine producers
Swine producers are coming off of some of the roughest market conditions in the last quarter of a century, but there’s some optimism for this year. Regardless, there will always be some risk to navigate in order to market your product. Chris Ford, vice president of...
Mexico’s new President vows commitment to USMCA
Mexico has a new president, and that could have implications for U.S. farm trade and the number one foreign market for exports. On Monday Claudia Sheinbaum was elected president of Mexico, she is the first woman president in Mexico’s history. Claudia Sheinbaum is the...
Groups respond positively to new USDA rule on competition
Several agricultural groups responded positively to USDA’s release of the Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems proposed rule. The National Farmers Union says the rule addresses abuses by the poultry industry of broiler chicken producers under...
U.S. Wheat harvest off to early start
When we have been looking at the markets that have had the strongest runs lately, wheat is at the top of that list. The volatility has been very interesting to watch as many outside factors are weighing on the markets. A lot of it is linked to Mother Nature. Whether...
AFBF Young Farmer and Rancher Chair stresses need for farm bill
An American Farm Bureau Federation young farmer testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee’s subcommittee on commodities, risk management and trade. Kevin Lussier, Chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer and Rancher Committee, says he spoke...
Midwest Dairy seeking candidates for the 71st Iowa Dairy Princess
During this Dairy Month, Midwest Dairy’s Iowa Division is looking for candidates to serve as the 71st annual Iowa Dairy Princess. Heidi Lantzky, Iowa Dairy Princess Program Coordinator, said the Iowa Dairy Princess serves as the official goodwill ambassador for the...
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More Ag News
Forty percent of farmers work off the farm
The 2022 Census of Agriculture showed about 40 percent of American farmers worked 200 or more days off the farm in 2022. The majority, 93 percent, of the 3,078 U.S. counties for which data was reported had at least 30 percent of producers working 200 or more days off...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-29-24)
It was looking like the weather was going to start to dry out in South America, but there’s still plenty of rain as of right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the shift to the monsoon season in South America has gone almost exactly the way they wanted...
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...
