Top Stories
Don’t wait too long to take care of marestail
Marestail was one of the earliest weeds to become glyphosate-tolerant, and that resistance continues to make it tricky for farmers to manage. With rising spring temperatures, marestail is bolting fast, and it becomes significantly harder to control once it tops six inches. Farmers who wait for too long are left with few effective options to take down this notorious weed. Jeff Mueller of BASF said marestail actually has two different emergence timeframes. Since marestail is so stubborn, Mueller...
Start protecting your crops early in the growing season
Several yield factors, like minimizing inputs and maximizing weed and disease control, are at the top of every farmer’s mind as the 2024 planting season approaches. Getting a head start with early-season crop protection can help farmers reduce the stress their crops,...
Assessment shows U.S. soy’s carbon footprint has considerably decreased
A newly released Life Cycle Assessment found the U.S. soybean industry’s global warming potential profile decreased considerably in 2021 for whole soybeans, soybean meal, and soy oil compared to previously reported findings in 2015 and 2010. Commissioned by the United...
How you can help create more corn and soybean demand
Going in search of demand for our Iowa Agricultural products. Specifically, increasing the consumption of renewable fuels to increase commodity prices as well as additional revenue streams for producers. There's a big push right now for E15 sales to be made legal...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-20-24)
Brazil has some good rains still, and Argentina is still dry. However, some nice rains are projected to pass through both countries. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said harvest and...
Annual USDA Chicken and Eggs Report forecasts increased production
The annual Chickens and Eggs report from USDA shows the U.S. chicken inventory for December 1st up one percent from a year ago and egg production down slightly. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Bernt Nelson said the report comes as nearly all protein sectors-...
Changing crop patterns help drive farmland prices higher
One of the reasons for shifting farmland prices is changing crop patterns. Randy Dickhut, farmland sales specialist with Agricultural Economic Insights, mentions where some of the most notable changes are taking place. The beginning of the increase in farmland prices...
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Grassley says farmers fed up with no new farm bill
Farmers are fed up with Congress’ failure to produce a new farm bill and will likely feel the economic impact. That’s according to United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley (R-IA) was hopeful early in 2024 that a new farm bill would be agreed to in the new...
Modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders
In early July, the USDA released its recommendations for modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Stephen Cain, senior director of economic research and analysis for the National Milk Producers Federation, shared his initial reaction to the proposal. The...
ISU studying benefits of grass-to-gas energy production for farmers
We’re proud of our ability to produce corn and soybeans at a high level in the state of Iowa, but one of the unintended consequences of growing those dominant row crops is the effect they have on the soil. Erosion, fertilizer runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions are...
Majority of beef cattle farms have small herds
The United States has numerous beef cow-calf farms that raise beef calves at least through weaning. However, USDA data says while there are a large number of farms, most are relatively small. Data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture indicated that 55 percent of...
Iowa State Fair a showcase of education and advocation for Iowa Agriculture
Less than a week from now, Iowans will descend on Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair. It is a chance for our citizens to celebrate everything about Iowa. Among those things we celebrate is the agriculture industry. Whether it is the animals we show to the food we eat,...
