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Central America is a growing market for U.S. red meat exports
Central America will continue to be a growing market for exports of U.S. pork and beef, due in large part to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Ricardo Zúniga, founding partner of Dinámica Americas and featured speaker at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference in Oklahoma City, said he is bullish on the economic outlook for Central America, but he cautioned that a number of factors could limit the region’s growing demand for U.S. beef and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-12-24)
Drier weather in Brazil is providing less-than-ideal conditions for the safrinha crop that has been planted so far. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest South American weather patterns. On the other hand, that dry weather is allowing...
Tyson Foods to close Perry pork packing plant
Tyson Foods has signaled that it will permanently close its pork packing plant in Perry in late June. Tyson is the biggest employer in the city of Perry and the closing of the facility will leave 1,276 plant workers without jobs. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining...
USDA finalizes “Product of the USA” labeling rule
The Department of Agriculture this week finalized a rule related to voluntary labeling claims of ‘Product of the USA.’ USDA’s final ‘Product of the USA’ rule will allow farmers to label meat, poultry, and egg products when they are born, raised, and processed in the...
Crop insurance deadline nears
Farmers not yet enrolled in the Agriculture Risk Coverage or Price Loss Coverage programs for the 2024 crop year have until March 15, 2024, to revise elections and sign contracts. Both safety net programs, delivered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency, support to farmers...
Effects from cattle losses in Texas wildfire could be felt for a while
Wildfires in Texas have been burning for some time. Even with the fire reported to be over 70% contained, the loss of property and life is terrible. Cattle spread across both of those spectrums. While they are livestock property of ranches, they are also lives being...
PFI’s Labor4Learning program offers hands-on experience for new farmers
Applications for paid on-farm jobs are now open for Practical Farmers of Iowa’s Labor4Learning program, which provides an opportunity for beginning farmers to train with experienced farmers across the state who are committed to developing the next generation of...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (8-20-24)
The weather in South America still has not changed much, but it’s not much of an impact on the markets anyways since the commodities are focused elsewhere. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the markets could be shifting back to looking at the South...
Introducing new pork products in international markets
Introducing new products to overseas customers is a great way to draw attention to differentiate U.S. pork from pork of other origins. Courtney Knupp, vice president of international market development for the National Pork Board, said consumer preference research...
Wyffels growth in Iowa continues with new Ames site
Following 15 months of construction, Wyffels Hybrids officially opened their new Iowa warehouse and distribution center on July 10th, 2024. The new Iowa site is on roughly 150 acres located between Nevada and Ames near Interstate 35 and highway 30. In addition to...
U.S. beef herd rebuild could take years
The U.S. beef cow inventory has fallen to its lowest level in more than 60 years. With no significant changes on the horizon that would quickly reverse the trend, rebuilding the U.S. beef cow herd to historical norms is shaping up to be a years-long undertaking....
IA Beef Council helping present Stockman & Stewardship workshop
Part of what checkoff dollars are used for is the continuing education of producers in the cattle industry. The needs of the consumer always are evolving, as is the care that is given to the herds. That is why state organizations like the Iowa Beef Industry Council...
