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Specialty crop growers feeling left out
In a time of financial stress for many farmers across the country, the $12 billion bridge assistance payments that were recently announced are welcome relief for many. However, $11 billion dollars of the relief payments are being distributed to row crop farmers, leaving many other producers on the outside looking in. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse, a farmer himself, says that specialty crop growers are one sector of agriculture that are feeling forgotten about. Newhouse also acknowledges...
Grocery prices high, further increases possible
Grocery prices, for the most part, remain high and according to the American Farm Bureau the price increases could continue. Grocery store prices have not been kind to consumer’s pocketbooks recently and AFBF Economist Bernt Nelson says that input costs and general...
Record $3.4 million in biofuels grants will expand E15 availability
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board approved 74 project applications totaling more than $3.4 million in cost-share funding for Iowa fuel retailers during its quarterly board meeting last week. 73 ethanol cost-share projects were awarded, an...
USDA adds funding for specialty crop producers
As consumers, we rely on having a strong supply of vegetables, fruits, and other products to serve on our tables. However, for some producers, the challenges of getting their goods in front of consumers can be daunting. It takes financial backing to get the companies...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-6-24)
Concerns about long-term dry weather still remain in South America, but, for the time being, there are some nice rains passing over right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions. McBride said that harvest is still...
Low cattle inventory brings higher beef prices
USDA’s biannual Cattle Inventory report showed the nation’s cattle herd at 87.2 million head, down roughly two percent from last year. This is the lowest herd size in 73 years, and it means that we could be seeing record beef prices in the grocery store soon. American...
What to expect in the February WASDE report
The World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) are released each month by the USDA and provide annual forecasts for supply and use of both U.S. and world wheat, rice, coarse grains, oilseeds, and cotton. The January report is typically thought of as a...
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NPPC President-Elect looking forward to stepping into new role
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) represents the pork industry year-round on many important issues for producers. The NPPC has a strong executive team full of experience that allows them to tackle these issues posed by the producers they represent. Duane...
Clean Label Solution wins 2024 Soy Innovation Challenge
Clean Label Solution is the grand prize winner of this year’s Soy Innovation Challenge. They won the challenge with their fermentation process that uses soybeans to make high-value feed for beef and dairy cattle. Dr. Mohammad Arshadi, founder and CEO of Clean Label,...
Ethanol industry’s EV fight heading to the courts
The second lawsuit in as many weeks has been filed against the Environmental Protection Agency’s final tailpipe emissions rule. This effort is being led by the ethanol industry as it enters a separate challenge following another lawsuit that was submitted by the...
Farmers holding large corn and soybean stocks
After stockpiling crops for much of this season due to low commodity prices, many U.S. farmers continue to turn away buyers despite few signs that prices will improve. Farm Policy News says grain supplies are ample, and early ratings of summer crops are good. While...
Upgraded tiling systems have been saviors this spring
Nobody would have believed after the past few years in the Western Corn Belt that we would want a break in the rain. Iowa certainly has had its share, even though some spots are drying out again. My family in Minnesota has been screaming at Mother Nature to turn the...
