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Latest USDA domestic fertilizer expansion efforts
On Tuesday Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins provided updates on federal efforts to expand domestic fertilizer production in both short-term and long-term capacities. Speaking at USDA headquarters Rollins detailed some of the size and scope of the infrastructure currently being constructed in the U.S. Secretary Rollins also announced the resumption of USDA's fertilizer production expansion program. The aim of the program is expediting projects that were previously derailed by regulations....
Is the economy affecting Farm Bill progress?
Despite the high rises of the DOW and the S&P 500, the economy for the average American is not in a good place. Political and economic pundits are arguing back and forth whether we are in a recession or not. If we are in one, it hasn’t been an epic recession, but...
Growth Energy highlighting biofuel opportunities
Heading further into 2024, one of the top missions for Growth Energy is year-round, nationwide access to E15. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor spoke on E15 during her keynote address at the group’s annual meeting. Skor said it’s a proven fact that year-round E15 will save...
Competition in overseas markets increasing during 2024
USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer talked about the state of the ag economy and the headwinds it faces in 2024. During his speech at the 100th Annual Ag Outlook Meeting, he said there are challenges ahead. “We've seen a lot of growth in trade for agricultural...
2022 Census Of Agriculture indicates loss of farms and farmland
The USDA released the 2022 Census of Agriculture this week. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says some of the results were concerning, especially the number of farms and total amount of farmland across America. While those numbers sound large, Secretary Vilsack was able to...
Crop insurance costs to jump 29 percent
The federally-subsidized crop insurance program will cost an additional $27.7 billion over the next decade. A Congressional Budget Office report says the government pays roughly 62 cents of each dollar in premiums, and sales of livestock and forage policies are...
Could whole & 2% milk be returning to schools?
During the Obama Administration, then-First Lady Michelle Obama spearheaded changes to the school lunch program for Public Schools across the country. The effort was presented to the American people as a chance to bring kids healthier lunches. Much debate has ensued...
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More Ag News
Floods leading to enhanced weed and disease pressure
This year will be remembered for the staggering amounts of rain that we received over the course of the growing season. While the weather itself caused plenty of damage, there are going to be more issues in the future from the flooding that occurred from the rain....
Farm Progress Show field demonstrations will showcase the newest ag innovations
The Farm Progress Show returns to Boone Iowa August 27th-29th and this year’s show will once again feature live field demonstrations. The show rotates host sites between Boone and Decatur Illinois and in 2022 poor weather did not allow for field demonstrations at the...
U.S. pork industry fueling jobs and economic growth
The U.S. Pork Industry has a significant impact on America’s agricultural and overall economy. The National Pork Producers Council released a new economic contribution report detailing the impact. Holly Cook, an economist for the NPPC, talked about the main takeaways....
Secretary Naig announces new Choose Iowa food purchasing pilot program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program – Food Bank Pilot. The pilot program, which was authorized during the 2024 legislative session and is an initiative of the state’s Choose Iowa Program, aims...
Return of wet conditions means the return of mosquitoes
There were a few things that became a new normal while we dealt with the drought of the past couple of years. A lot of it was unpleasant. Dry ground, brown grass, and fire hazards were just a few we can name. However, if you were going to look for a silver lining in...
