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Farmers trim input costs as profit margins remain tight
Farmers across the Corn Belt are reducing spending on fertilizer, seed and crop protection products as they prepare for another year of narrow profit margins. Agricultural economists and industry analysts report that many producers are carefully managing expenses after several seasons of declining crop prices and higher operating costs. While fertilizer prices have moderated from record highs seen in recent years, input costs remain elevated compared with historical averages. Farm management...
Bayer applies for EPA label on low volatility dicamba
The dicamba battle has been raging for years. Court case after court case has been heard to determine the product's status. Farmers have come to depend on the product as a tool they can use on stubborn weeds. In February a federal court ordered a halt to the use of...
American agriculture is an “export powerhouse”
While the debate continues in Washington D.C. over whether the Biden administration should be doing more to create new trade opportunities, one fact remains. It’s no secret in U.S. agriculture how valuable trade is to multiple sectors. Daniel Whitley, administrator of...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-29-24)
The weather forecast in South America has opened up and is now very dry for the next couple of weeks. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions. Harvest in Brazil is mostly wrapped up, and Argentina is making good progress on...
House Ag Committee makes progress on Farm Bill process
After almost 13 hours, the House Agriculture Committee sent their version of the farm bill from Committee Chair GT Thompson to the full House for a vote. Joe Gilson, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau, says it was quite a process to get the...
HPAI detected in commercial chicken flock in Sioux County
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have detected a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Sioux County, Iowa. The affected site...
Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul seeing catastrophic flooding
Last year, when I had the opportunity to go to Brazil, I spent the first days in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. It’s in the Southern part of Brazil, still many hours from the ports along the ocean. While there, I saw some of the lushest regions of agriculture...
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More Ag News
South American planting is behind schedule
You don’t have to tell farmers how much Mother Nature can change our plans. In Iowa alone, we went from a multi-year drought to a period when we were caught back up in a matter of weeks. And then suddenly, we were back in a drought again. While it probably isn't...
NCBA is making lower taxes a top priority
Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expiring at the end of next year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is making a major push on tax policy. In the latest episode of the Beltway Beef Podcast, NCBA President Mark Eisele said the fight for lower taxes is very...
Keep pigs and people safe during show season
Biosecurity is an important key to success in the pork industry, especially during show season when pigs from different states mingle. John Heins, manager of producer relations for the National Pork Board, said show pig producers need to have several important factors...
Grassley dismisses farm bill as rider on disaster aid measure
As Congress works on disaster aid for the hurricane-ravaged Southeast, some are proposing attaching a farm bill to the relief package. Longtime Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he won’t go for it. For months Iowa’s Chuck Grassley has stated that he expects another...
Farmers invited on tour exploring the impact of EU policies on agriculture
Iowa Farm Bureau members are invited to apply for an International Market Study Tour from June 7-15, 2025, visiting Brussels and the Netherlands. The tour will explore agricultural practices and climate-policy impacts in Europe, with opportunities to engage directly...
