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Grassley discusses hurdles to farm labor reform efforts
Farm labor reform remains one of the big topics in the agricultural sector but that doesn’t mean that changes to the system will come easily. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked on Tuesday if he will be involved in any efforts to reform the H-2A program or help provide farm labor relief in 2026. Grassley says that adjustments to the program will not be a simple fix. Grassley says that the farm labor issue is divided on strict partisan lines and that complicates getting...
New crop protection options available in sweet corn hybrids
Efficiency is everything when raising a crop these days. Market prices aren’t as attractive as they were, input costs are constantly rising, and the profit margins are getting squeezed thinner and thinner all the time. So, if there is an opportunity to do a little...
Updating reference prices must be a priority in the next farm bill
As input prices go up and commodity prices go down, farmers rely on the reference prices in the farm safety net to help stay in business when margins get squeezed. Betty Resnick, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), explained the basics of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-4-24)
Another week of uneventful export sales has come and gone with little reaction from the markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers for corn. Beans were much worse off, though, as this week marked the eleventh week in a row of...
Summertime E15 waiver decision timeline
The clock is ticking, and time is running out for the Biden EPA to decide on a summertime E15 waiver which would allow for summer sales at the pump. A waiver is needed for sales of E15 to be allowed this summer, before a more permanent rule allowing for E15 sales goes...
New technology key to increasing ag productivity
Technological developments in agriculture have enabled continued output growth without requiring many additional inputs. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have made it possible for total agricultural output to nearly...
Producers “egg”cited about the this year’s Easter egg consumption
With the easter holiday now past us, you have probably sworn off ham for at least six months even though you know it won't be the case because Iowa's pork farmers do such a great job producing delicious pork. You are also probably still eating the discount candy you...
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More Ag News
Making the best use of data from soil tests
Gathering data from soil tests is one of the best ways to address the needs of your crops. However, some of that data can be very complicated, so it needs to be run through the best methods and technology available in order to become actionable goals. Matt Fryer,...
Helping young people entering the beef industry
The 2024 Cattle Industry Summer Business Meeting was held in San Diego, California. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, observed several new attendees this year. NCBA can take steps to assist younger individuals in entering the industry....
Lawmakers won’t compromise despite outcry for new farm bill
The huge outcry for a new farm bill from hundreds of Ag stakeholder groups last month seems to have prompted little movement from either side in Congress. That’s not a surprise to United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Over 500 Ag-related groups led by the...
Secretary Naig welcomes pesticide petition by Attorneys General Bird, Hilgers
Following the announcement today in Omaha by Attorneys General Brenna Bird of Iowa and Mike Hilgers of Nebraska that the states will jointly file a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding the regulation of pesticides, Iowa Secretary of...
Ag Bio act will keep U.S. Biobased production at home
The Plant-Based Products Council and its supporters in Congress are hopeful that legislation aimed at expanding the agricultural bioeconomy will significantly impact the upcoming Farm Bill. The proposed Ag BIO Act seeks to increase the manufacturing of plant-based...
