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Trade announcements with China are a positive step forward
U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met recently to discuss trade and other topics. This may be a sign that trade tensions are slowly thawing between the United States and China. Faith Parum, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said China remains a top trading priority, even after disruptions last year. During recent talks, China and the U.S. agreed to some additional agricultural purchases on top of commitments made last year. Parum said trade...
Significant headwinds remain before U.S. beef herd expands
The U.S. cattle herd is at record low-levels. In fact the herd size has not been this small in many decades. Yet despite that fact, there are still significant headwinds that remain before the U.S. beef herd expands once again says Kevin Good, vice president of...
Iowa farmland sells for a near-record amount
Not one but two tracts of farmland in Sioux County, Iowa, sold for a near-record $29,600 per acre in a public auction this week. In November 2022, a sale of 73.19 acres in the same county sold for the current state record of $30,000 per acre. A spokesman for Zomer...
ISA delegates bring concerns to Commodity Classic meetings
Commodity Classic is so much more than the trade show that sees all kinds of technology unveiled to the farmers of the United States. More importantly, it is the time that delegates from across the United States come together to set the policy that their respective...
Red Sea shipping issues among conversation at Gulfood
More than 150,000 attendees from 190 countries were in Dubai, UAE, last week for Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and beverage show. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided insight on what he describes as the busiest Gulfood...
Grassley joins colleagues in asking for swift E15 waiver for 2024
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has joined an Iowa delegation of lawmakers in a letter urging the Environmental Protection Agency to allow for summertime E15 sales in 2024. Last week, the EPA finalized a rule to approve year-round E15 sales, but delayed...
AFBF encouraging farmers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage
The Department of Agriculture this week opens the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program enrollment period for 2024. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Danny Munch said the program helps dairy producers manage risks. Munch said the enrollment period starts today,...
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GCSS contestants give back to the Ronald McDonald House
Every year, exhibitors for the Governor's Charity Steer Show at the Iowa State Fair help to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Exhibitors today went to the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa in Des Moines to help with some cleanup and...
Senator Grassley visits the Iowa State Fair, talks ag issues
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) made his annual visit to the Iowa State Fair on Friday and stopped by to discuss the latest Iowa ag issues. Grassley tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that he has made at least one visit to the Iowa State Fair each...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-9-24)
Export sales were good again this week, but it’s still too little, too late for old crop numbers. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest report from the USDA. On the new crop side of things, McBride said they would like to see higher...
Seven farmers elected to Iowa Soybean Association board of directors
Seven farmers, including two incumbents, have been elected to the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) board of directors. The association’s 22 volunteer farmer directors represent the state’s nine crop reporting districts in overseeing the management and allocation of...
Iowa Agriculture on full display at the Iowa State Fair
We have been discussing for the past few days and weeks how the Iowa State Fair is a showcase for agriculture, which happens to be the state’s leading industry. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig always calls it the “Super Bowl of Iowa Agriculture.” As I sit here writing...
