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Cattle demand remains strong despite tight supplies
Strong consumer demand continues to support the cattle market, even as producers manage historically small herd numbers and tighter supplies. Ethan Lane with the National Cattlemen's Beef Association said demand remains one of the brightest spots in agriculture today. As cattle inventories remain near multi-decade lows, Lane says the industry has become far more efficient in producing beef. Those supply dynamics are creating challenges throughout the supply chain. But Lane says cow-calf...
Major expansion of Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program underway
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, alongside Bryan Whaley, CEO of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, announced the second phase of the Cattle and Conservation Working Lands program, which debuted in 2016. This second phase expands to 22 counties within the...
Fertilizer prices expected to stay elevated through 2028
Fertilizer prices are expected to remain above pre-Iran war levels through 2028, according to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange. Farmers and agricultural retailers continue to face higher costs as conflicts and supply disruptions affect global fertilizer...
Grassley, Thompson discuss Farm Bill path at Iowa State Fair
The Farm Bill remains unfinished in the Senate, but two lawmakers closely involved in the process say there is still a path to completing a new five-year bill this year. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley and House Agriculture Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson both discussed...
Another record-breaking Governor’s Charity Steer Show in 2026
The 2026 Governor’s Charity Steer Show set a record Saturday by raising $572,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Owen Kahl of Tipton Iowa was one of the exhibitors in the show alongside his celebrity showman former Iowa Hawkeye and NFL Football Player...
Developing new processed products for Latin America at Global Innovation Symposium
Buyers and processors from across Latin America gathered at Colorado State University to develop new processed products with U.S. beef and pork at the Global Innovation Symposium hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF Manager of Technical Programs...
Supporting farmers and small businesses across the country
The Iowa State Fair is a top entertainment event for the state, but it also serves as an opportunity to connect people with agriculture. This is especially important as each new generation becomes further removed from the farm. Bringing that connection back starts...
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More Ag News
Mexico bans U.S. lamb and sheep offal over scrapie case
In late July, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) surveillance program detected a case of classical scrapie in a single sheep at a slaughter facility in Oregon. It was the first such detection in the U.S. in more than five years. Although APHIS...
New Agronomy Zone introduced at 2026 Farm Progress Show
The Farm Progress Show is in Boone Iowa this year and takes place this week September 1st-3rd. The show has always been a premier spot to see the latest agricultural technology in action, but it has added a new permanent display to showcase the newest crop inputs and...
Farm Rescue encourages referrals for farm families in need of harvest assistance
As harvest begins across the country, Farm Rescue is reminding rural communities that help is available for farm families facing an unexpected crisis. When illness, injury or natural disaster strikes, the work on the farm doesn’t stop. Crops still need to come out of...
New U.S. ammonia plant will increase domestic production
Fertilizer prices and availability have been a major pain point for U.S. producers for several years. A major factor that contributes to that pressure is fact that the U.S. imports about 50 percent of the 20 million tons of the fertilizer farmers across the country...
RMA changes offer farmers added financial flexibility
Farmers will have some additional flexibility in the federal crop insurance program following two recent changes announced by USDA’s Risk Management Agency. RMA Administrator Pat Swanson, who is also an Iowa farmer, says one of those changes is the return of the...
