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Senators push USDA for faster bird flu vaccine plan
A bipartisan group of 23 senators called on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expedite development of a comprehensive bird flu vaccination strategy amid rising infections in livestock flocks. Lawmakers warn that outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, have killed millions of birds nationwide, threatening poultry producers already coping with supply chain pressures and volatile markets. While USDA announced plans earlier in the year to pursue a vaccine, senators say the...
Tickets on sale for BBQ & Brew at the ballpark
(Clive, Iowa) - Tickets are on sale for the second annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark. The event takes place on Saturday, June 22 at Principal Park in Des Moines from 2-7 p.m. Organized by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Cubs, this fun afternoon...
La Nina returns this summer after brief El Nino
After a few years in a solid La Nina weather pattern, this winter saw a strong El Nino. However, that didn’t last long, as we are already back to ENSO-neutral, which will then lead to La Nina again this summer. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said this...
Keep mental health in mind during Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Studies show that farmer suicide rates are several times higher than the national average. Jessica Cabrera, managing director of member engagement with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says mental health among farmers and...
Grassley urges better data reporting on avian influenza in dairy cows
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) responded on Thursday to a Washington Post story critical of bird flu testing in dairy cows and the sharing of results. Grassley says that the logistics of mandating more testing in millions of cows would be difficult....
USDA requires H5N1 testing for interstate movement of dairy cattle
The Department of Agriculture Wednesday mandated testing for H5N1 of dairy cattle that cross state lines. The move is to protect the U.S. livestock industry from the threat of avian influenza. Before interstate movement, dairy cattle are required to receive a negative...
USDA Undersecretary Taylor returns from India
Trade is top of mind in the agriculture industry. Growing and maintaining our list of trading partners is essential, especially given the circumstances of the trade glut we have experienced in the past year or so. It is especially important to make regular trade trips...
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Canadian Railroad strike was short-lived
Federal Labor Minister Steve MacKinnon intervened on Thursday to impose binding arbitration on the parties involved, just sixteen hours after Canada's two main railway freight lines locked out Teamster Union personnel. A few weeks prior to the deadline, the union had...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour wraps up with record crop projections
The final estimate from the Pro Farmer Crop Tour shows record yields for both corn and soybeans. Corn yield is set at 181.1 bushels per acre, while soybeans are at 54.9 bpa. Eastern Leg Tour Leader Brian Grete said that, while these estimates are just a snapshot in...
Strong notes for both pork and beef exports in June
June exports of U.S. beef reached the highest value in nearly two years, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). While June pork exports were lower year-over-year, shipments through the first half of the year...
Crop management strategies for the stretch run of the season
As we approach the final stretch of the growing season, farmers are making critical management strategies to help their crops cross the finish line with the best yields possible. In instances where it is no longer helpful to apply crop protection products, farmers can...
Secretary Naig announces 11 grants to support Iowa specialty crop production
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded more than $368,000 in grants to help grow demand for Iowa’s specialty crops. The funding will be distributed to support 11 projects that...
