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USDA implementing three-stage cattle import protocol
After halting imports to limit the spread of New World Screwworm, the U.S. is importing cattle from Mexico once again. As imports resume, a three-stage protection protocol will help to control the further spread of NWS in the U.S. Alan Huddleston, USDA acting chief veterinary officer, said stage one of the protocol includes several treatments. Huddleston said the second stage of the protocol also starts in Mexico, before the cattle enter the U.S. Huddleston said the third and final state of...
Tariff uncertainty continues to cloud trade outlook
Trade policy remains a major focus for businesses and commodity markets as uncertainty continues surrounding U.S. tariffs. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court ruled that President Trump exceeded his authority by using the International Emergency Economic Powers Act...
Lower supplies, higher prices in latest USDA beef outlook
Recent trends within the industry have continued in the latest USDA beef production and price forecasts as part of the July meat outlook. USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says with another month of tightening supplies, the projected steer...
Consumers looking at pork as beef prices remain high
2025 offered some great profit opportunities to swine producers as they enjoyed strong demand and lower input costs. Fortunately, some of those profit opportunities have carried into 2026. Holly Cook, economist with the National Pork Producers Council, said there are...
Iowa hosts largest barn tour in the world – September 19-20
If you are looking for something different to do on a September weekend, consider taking a self-guided tour of Iowa’s historic barns. The Iowa Barn Foundation is holding its 26th Annual All-State Barn Tour on Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, featuring over 100...
New Canada-U.S. trade route now open
Monday, July 27th should finally see an official opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, with that date confirmed by Washington and Ottawa. While the details have not yet been made public, the new agreement is based on an initial 15-year term. This new...
Farmers weigh fungicide against tight margins
Even with crops looking good across much of Iowa, many producers are still facing difficult financial decisions. Depressed commodity prices and elevated input costs continue to squeeze profit margins, forcing farmers to carefully evaluate every input they purchase....
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U.S. pork exports to Japan show strong rebound
Exports of U.S. pork to Japan have shown an impressive rebound in 2026. The market has faced challenges such as high energy costs and a weak yen against the U.S. dollar, but some value sectors have increasingly relied on U.S. pork loin and pork butt. USMEF President...
Grassley says farm bill markup possible next week even without McConnell
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the Senate Ag Committee could still mark up a farm bill next week before the August recess without sidelined Mitch McConnell and a GOP majority. Senator Grassley says Ag Chair John Boozman still hopes to take up...
Markets react to July USDA cattle reports
The USDA released two important reports last week that each had a direct impact on the U.S. cattle industry: the July Cattle Inventory and July Cattle on Feed Reports. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the two reports offer a...
ICA lead on CRP reform at NCBA summer business meeting
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) continues to deliver results for Iowa cattle producers, both in Iowa and across the nation. At the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Summer Business Meeting held in Denver, Colorado, earlier this month, ICA led...
Naig: Heat, timely rain shaping Iowa crops
Iowa farmers have faced a little bit of everything this summer. Extended stretches of heat have increased stress on crops and livestock, while scattered thunderstorms have brought much-needed rainfall to some areas and flooding, hail, and damaging winds to others....
