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Naig urges Senate action on Farm Bill
The House has passed its version of the Farm Bill, but Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the focus now turns to the Senate, where the legislation could face a much more difficult path forward. Naig said House passage was an important step toward giving farmers more certainty during a period of tight margins and ongoing economic stress. He said the legislation still sends an important signal that Congress recognizes the financial challenges facing agriculture right now. Naig said the...
AFBF members talking labor challenges on Capitol Hill
Iowa farmers are no stranger to labor challenges. Every year, it seems like the pool of laborers to hire for on-farm jobs gets smaller and smaller. On top of that, the H-2A program that farmers have come to rely on can be complicated and expensive to use. Farm Bureau...
Ag industry needs certainty on sustainable aviation fuel
A multi-state coalition of biofuel and farm advocates asked the Treasury Department to swiftly resolve any questions standing in the way of scaling up U.S. production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. More specifically, they urged the administration to quickly adopt the...
Growing world record soybeans
Farmers start every growing season to grow the best crop they can and improve their yields year after year. Certainly, we can grow high-yielding crops, and in soybeans we turn heads the closer we get to those triple-digit yields. But what if you could grow over 200...
USDA’s ACEP gets a funding boost, keeps farmers farming
Another revenue source to keep farmers farming is getting a boost from the USDA. Under Secretary Robert Bonnie says the new funds will help conserve farmlands and wetlands. The program continues a strategy by Secretary Tom Vilsack to use the Inflation Reduction Act...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-21-24)
Another status quo report for export sales this week, and seeing a neutral report was nice in the face of some heightened volatility throughout the day of its release. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave a breakdown of the numbers. Soybeans in particular were...
Solid vaccination program crucial for spring turnout
A sound vaccination program is crucial to any cattle operation, especially when it comes to preparing calves for spring turnout. Dr. D.L. Step, professional services veterinarian for Boehringer-Ingelheim, says an early vaccination program for calves can amplify herd...
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More Ag News
USDA launches online debt consolidation tool
The USDA launched a new Debt Consolidation Tool that allows U.S. agricultural producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the Farm...
Propane supply chain looking good for 2024 harvest & beyond
The harvest will be here before we know it and it is time to think about getting everything ready for that upcoming season. One of the unsung heroes of our harvest is our grain drying systems. More systems are switching to propane fuels as they get upgraded. Of...
CLAAS FARMPOINT brings repair services directly to farmers
Suffering a breakdown during the crop season can be devastating, especially during planting or harvest. Not only do you have to determine what the problem is and attempt to fix it, but you also have to spend the time driving to the dealership to get the parts you...
USDA forecasts an increasing trade deficit in 2025
The USDA forecasted the agricultural trade deficit to increase sharply to a record $42.5 billion in the coming fiscal year. That compares to $30.5 billion this fiscal year, which ends September 30. The widening trade gap, a source of frustration for many farmers and...
Rebuilding of the beef cattle herd remains on hold
In the two or three years leading up to 2024, drought conditions led to a beef cattle herd contraction that is still in effect. Overall beef cattle numbers in the country remain historically low, and the rebuilding of the herd could be pushed into 2025 or beyond...
