Top Stories
Interior official highlights ranchers’ stewardship role
When I was in Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several issues affecting western livestock producers. One topic that generated significant discussion was public lands grazing and the misconceptions Budd-Falen believes continue to surround the practice. According to Budd-Falen, one of the most common criticisms is the belief that ranchers receive inexpensive access to federal...
Rain delays causing potentially premature market reactions
Rain continues to delay planting across the Corn Belt, but since rain makes grain, it’s pretty worth it at this point. However, we are getting closer and closer to that planting deadline, and the markets were feeling the heat today and shot upwards. Robin Schmahl of...
U.S. agriculture not immune to cyberthreats
Cyberattacks are on the increase and are being used to target industrial systems that are utilized by U.S. agriculture, that’s according to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. Haines tells the Senate Armed Services Committee the U.S. intelligence community...
Ag groups respond to farm bill overviews
U.S. ag groups are reacting to the House and Senate Ag Committee leaders who released their farm bill overviews. “We are very pleased with the Farm Bill framework from House Ag Chair GT Thompson,” says Ethan Lane, VP of government affairs with the NCBA. “We are...
U.S. red meat export value continues to climb
January-March beef exports totaled 311,865 mt, down 4% from the first quarter of 2023, but export value increased 6% to $2.48 billion, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said...
Will our drought recovery be short-lived?
As the rain continues to fall around the state this spring, we have both excitement and apprehension. We want to get the seeds in the ground and know the clock is ticking. However, every farmer in Iowa is also very aware of the fact that we need to get a lot of...
ISU Extension providing farmers with valuable climate data
All sectors of the Iowa ag industry have been reeling from drought issues for 200 weeks now, and while we are trending in the right direction, the drought won’t be ending overnight. With such intense rainfall deficits in many parts of the state, farmers need guidance...
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U.S. Export Sales Report (10-3-24)
This is the time of year where we expect export sales to surge, and this week’s report has shown exactly that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. Even though those sales indicate that the USDA doesn’t need to...
Harvest corn early to increase yields and profits
With harvest underway, a key decision is how long to let corn dry in the field. Greg Trame, regional sales director for GSI, said recent research demonstrated that harvesting early can help farmers maximize their yield and return on investment. Trame said a recent...
Grassley says he can’t accept pre-conferenced lame duck farm bill
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he and others can’t accept a ‘slap-dab’ farm bill in a lame-duck session, while another has called for a long-term extension and short-term relief amid a bleak farm economy. Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley says a...
EPA finalizes rule on pesticide exclusion zones
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to restore the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. The AEZ is an area surrounding outdoor pesticide application equipment where people are...
NICC is preparing students for the future of agriculture & dairy
Farming is an industry that survives via succession. The participation of multiple generations is what is needed to keep a farm operating for years to come. Beyond the farm, there are so many Ag-related fields that offer support to farming operations each day. Ag...
