Top Stories
US hog inventory edges lower; productivity ticks up
The U.S. hog and pig inventory totaled 73.7 million head as of June 1, down slightly from a year earlier and from March, USDA said Thursday in its quarterly report. Market hogs accounted for 67.8 million head, while 5.88 million were kept for breeding, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the smaller herd, production indicators improved. Producers weaned 33.5 million pigs from March through May, slightly above last year, with an average of 11.87 pigs per...
Mosaic’s solution to maximizing fertilizer efficiency
Market conditions and grain prices are setting up 2025 to be a year of tough decisions for farmers. Growers do not want to cut back on inputs at the risk of harming yields but when faced with tough economic decisions, tough management decisions need to be made. In the...
USDA issues final rule on amendments to Federal milk marketing orders
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule amending the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The final rule was made available for viewing on Jan. 16,...
USDA Releases guidance on 45z; Trump Treasury must still approve
Yesterday marked a moment that farmers and the biofuels industry eagerly anticipated for over a year. The USDA released guidance on 45z tax credits for climate-smart Ag, feedstocks, and biofuels. Many ag industry leaders and entities have praised Secretary Vilsack for...
Collecting financial data for flower farms
Iowa is no stranger to specialty crop farming, and flowers are one of those specialty crops. Since they can be planted so close together, flowers can offer substantial yields on smaller acreages. However, as it is with many specialty crops, there isn’t a lot of data...
USDA announces more regulatory reforms for Packers and Stockyards Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a third installment in regulatory reforms to the Packers and Stockyards Act. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said this third change, in combination with the others, is intended to level the playing field for farmers raising...
Arctic cold and potential cattle concerns
A strong arctic system is expected to settle over much of the United States late this week and into the weekend, creating concerns for livestock producers. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the latest blast of arctic air could bring some of the coldest temperatures...
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More Ag News
EPA releases new insecticide plan
The Environmental Protection Agency released a draft of its plan to protect endangered species while still allowing farmers the flexibility to use insecticides to protect their crops. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau...
Protecting your profits by protecting your grain
One of the often-overlooked aspects of grain storage is the amount of lost grain and grain quality loss due to insect damage. John Mays is the senior director for grain and specialty ag at Central Life Sciences and he says more growers need to be aware of grain bugs...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-1-25)
Weekly export sales are continuing to perform above the yearly averages. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said corn sales are looking very good. Soybeans were more modest, but still good. McBride said the performance of both markets is interesting given the...
State and Federal decisions shape Iowa ag
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) plays a vital role in supporting farmers across the state, promoting agricultural innovation, conservation, and economic growth. Through a range of programs and initiatives, the department helps ensure...
Halftime Bar & Grill named Iowa’s 2025 Best Burger
On the square in Pleasantville, Iowa, family, community, and Iowa’s best burger intersect at Halftime Bar & Grill. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are proud to name Halftime Bar & Grill—and its owners, the DeHeer family—the home...
