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Iowa officials confident in screwworm strategy
While New World Screwworm remains confined to parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico, animal health officials are focused on making sure it stays that way. Although the insect is still hundreds of miles from Iowa, state and federal officials are relying on a proven strategy that successfully eradicated the New World Screwworm fly from the United States decades ago. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said there is good reason for confidence because the insect is not an unknown threat. The...
Foot-and-mouth disease in Germany could impact pork trade
Despite a 25% decline in production over the past decade, Germany remains a global leader in pork exports, particularly to the rest of the European Union. However, a recent detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a water buffalo herd at a small exotic farm near...
Beef supplies tightening, how will that impact prices?
USDA released its latest publication for beef production year over year and the report provides indications regarding steer price projections for 2025. That is World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski who says the lack of cattle being imported from...
Hundreds of ag groups write Senators backing USDA Secretary Nominee Rollins
Last week, 427 national and state agricultural groups and agribusinesses sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee supporting Brooke Rollins' nomination as Agriculture Secretary and calling on the committee and entire Senate to "promptly...
Updated poultry tournament rule provides needed transparency
The USDA issued a final poultry tournament rule under the Packers & Stockyards Act this week. The American Farm Bureau Federation calls this new rule a step in the right direction. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy with AFBF, said the rule includes...
Purina enhances value-added cattle support for rancher success
With cattle markets at historically high levels, producers have a unique opportunity to fine-tune their herd's nutrition and health programs without worrying about it negatively impacting their bottom line. Now is the perfect time to reassess and update plans for the...
Ag industry still seeking some more clarity from USDA
The recent USDA guidelines on climate-smart ag practices for biofuel feedstocks has been generally received positively, but there are still some areas that need clarification. Fortunately, there is now a 60-day window for farmers to speak up about what they would like...
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Secretary Rollins sends letter about screwworm spread to Mexican government
The threat of New World screwworm is looming, but not enough progress has been made towards containing it. Recently, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins wrote a letter to Mexico Secretary of Agriculture Julio Berdegué Sacristán, urging the Mexican government to...
Japan ramen chain now using underutilized U.S. pork cuts
Two national ramen noodle chains in Japan are now using underutilized U.S. pork cuts in popular dishes, thanks to product development efforts led by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) and funded through support from the National Pork Board and USDA. USMEF...
USDA trade nominee Lindberg cites litany of ag trade barriers
USDA Undersecretary for Trade nominee Luke Lindberg says the United States ag sector is facing too many unfair trade barriers in world trade. Lindberg told Senate Ag lawmakers at his recent confirmation hearing that the U.S. for too long has let other nations “rig”...
Nomination deadline for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award extended to May 19
Iowans seeking to nominate individuals or families who are conservation leaders in their community for the 2025 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award now have two additional weeks to complete and submit the application. The nomination deadline for the prestigious...
Fast start, sudden stop: Spring in 2025
The 2025 Spring Planting Season kicked off at full throttle, with tractors humming and seeds hitting the soil in a race against time. But just as quickly as it began, Mother Nature threw a wrench in the works, bringing rain, wind, and cool temperatures that brought...
