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Breaking down the USDA December Cattle on Feed Report
While the overall number of cattle in the United States remains at extremely low levels, the trend of lower cattle inventories in feedlots is continuing. That is reflected in the December USDA Cattle on Feed Report says USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell. Placements in feedlots were down 11% from the same period a year ago. Marketings were down 12% year-over-year. McConnell further explains the findings from this month’s report. That was USDA livestock analyst Michael...
Be cautious of damage to alfalfa this winter
This has been a winter we will likely remember for a long time. It’s been pretty comfortable, unseasonably warm, and we got a large amount of snow and bitter cold quickly. Then as quickly as it arrived, it was gone. We have also noted that our ground hasn’t seen the...
Tax relief package is now heading to the Senate
A tax relief package passed the House of Representatives this week and heads to the Senate for consideration. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act restores tax provisions left out of the 2017 tax reform efforts. American Farm Bureau Federation...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-1-24)
This week’s export sales were very mixed. Corn saw another good week, but soybean numbers were well below expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. McBride said the flash sale of soybeans to Mexico was nice, but we...
U.S. cattle herd smallest since 1951
Before the release of Wednesday’s semi-annual cattle inventory report, various trade estimates called for a reduction in overall herd size. The USDA’s report confirmed those estimates with a herd size of 87.2 million head of cattle as of January 1st, 2024. That is a...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for specialty crop block grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 1, 2024. The grant program, which is designed to support...
Fertilizer is impacted by numerous global conflicts
As we enter year three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as tensions are boiling over in the Middle East, we can’t help but realize the impact these events are going to continue to have on our farms. While disputes throw off demand and shipping, especially in...
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Food Bank of Iowa receives generous grant from State Farm
Earlier this week the Food Bank of Iowa received a grant from State Farm to support their goal of mobile food distribution and to help Iowans recover from last month’s tornado outbreak. The funds will provide the equivalent of tens of thousands of nutritious meals,...
Nominations open for FSA local county committees
Nominations are now being accepted for farmers and ranchers to serve on local USDA Farm Service Agency county committees. The committees make important decisions about how federal farm programs are administered locally. All nomination forms for the 2024 election must...
Ag producers facing a record trade deficit
The U.S. is facing a record-large agricultural trade deficit in 2024. Betty Resnick, an economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the deficit has deepened significantly in the last two years. Resnick said there are many challenges contributing to the ag...
Emissions lawsuit against EPA filed on Tuesday
The National Corn Growers Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association joined the American Petroleum Institute in filing a lawsuit against the EPA. The suit, filed in the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, challenges...
United Soybean Board is committed to innovation
The secret to keeping the soybean markets strong is no secret. We have to keep driving demand for U.S. soybeans. It is imperative that we not only try to open up more international markets, but we also need to keep finding uses at home. The Soybean Checkoff sustains...
