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First confirmation of ASF in Spain since 1994
Late last month, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in Spain for the first time since 1994. ASF was first found in two dead wild boars in the Barcelona area, located in the Catalonia region. Eleven more wild boars, found dead in the same area, later tested positive. Catalonia accounts for about 8% of Spain’s hog production. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror said Spain is the European Union’s largest pork producer and the number two global...
Iowa Farm Bureau member testifies in front of Senate Judiciary Committee
As rising input costs continue to burden rural America, lawmakers are finally taking notice. An Iowa Farm Bureau member was able to share his perspective at a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the high costs of inputs. Noah Coppess, who farms near Stanwood,...
China’s return offers hope but little market movement
There is finally some good news for U.S. soybean growers as China has stepped back into the market. The purchase is not a large one, but it marks the first notable move in months and offers a small sign of progress in a strained trade relationship. For many farmers,...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-28-25)
While we wait to hear more official news about President Trump’s Argentine beef import plan, farmers in South America are rolling along with planting season. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in Brazil and Argentina....
Increasing opportunities for U.S. pork in South Korea
South Korea ranks as the fifth-largest market for U.S. pork year-to-date. Andy Tauer, vice president of international market development with the National Pork Board, said strong consumer demand in South Korea is expected to keep growing, which could move the country...
Trade talks boost grain markets ahead of Trump-Xi meeting
Following U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s preliminary negotiations with Chinese trade officials, the grain markets have rallied significantly ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Xi Jinping of China. Commodity broker Joe Camp of Commstock...
Bessent: deal set for China to begin importing U.S. Soybeans
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he expects that China won’t impose export controls on rare earth mineral exports, and the U.S. won’t impose 100 percent tariffs on China. During separate interviews over the weekend, Bessent said trade negotiations with China have...
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Ag group rolls into Washington with a message
The Farmers for Free Trade motorcade made its way across the country, carrying the voices of producers worried about how ongoing trade tensions are squeezing their operations. Earlier this year, agricultural leaders cautioned the Trump administration that while they...
Food Bank of Iowa receives another crucial donation
Today, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints brought in a second truckload of food to complete a 72,000-pound donation to the Food Bank of Iowa. This is the organization’s second donation to the Food Bank of Iowa, with the first being in February 2024. Food...
More details still needed on U.S. and China trade agreement
Details remain scarce on the framework agreement of a trade deal between the United States and China although some optimism has returned to the soybean complex in the ag marketplace. Chinese officials did confirm some of the details of the framework agreement...
No plan yet to open U.S. to Mexican cattle imports
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins said the U.S. isn’t ready to open its border once again to cattle imports from Mexico. Despite that, Rollins said Mexico’s efforts to contain the flesh-eating New World Screwworm are progressing well. The border has been largely closed to...
Boosting the farm economy by allowing whole milk in schools
New analysis from the American Farm Bureau shows a simple solution that could support the farm economy. For over a decade, schoolchildren have been prevented from purchasing whole or 2 percent milk in schools. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Danny Munch said...
