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Farmers trim input costs as profit margins remain tight
Farmers across the Corn Belt are reducing spending on fertilizer, seed and crop protection products as they prepare for another year of narrow profit margins. Agricultural economists and industry analysts report that many producers are carefully managing expenses after several seasons of declining crop prices and higher operating costs. While fertilizer prices have moderated from record highs seen in recent years, input costs remain elevated compared with historical averages. Farm management...
Senator Ernst says USDA needs to modernize its assistance programs
Earlier this week, Senator Joni Ernst joined with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the rest of the Iowa Delegation in Washington in penning a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack about the need for the United States Department of Agriculture...
Weather has generally been friendly to corn and soybeans
As we enter the late July growing period the weather nationally is for the most part cooperating during a key part of the growing season. Right now, there are not any major weather concerns for the stretch run of July says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Nationally...
Over 500 organizations unite for new farm bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with 529 other organizations, urged lawmakers to prioritize programs that benefit all American families, emphasizing that they are too important to delay any further. Joe Gilson, the director of congressional relations for...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-25-24)
As we approach the end of the marketing year, the export sales have picked up a little bit. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of the latest numbers from the USDA. While it’s good to see sales like this, especially for soybeans, McBride said it...
Defense Department backs off lab-grown meat
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association confirmed that the effort to prevent ultra-processed, lab-grown protein in the diet of the American armed forces was successful. The announcement came following news that the U.S. Department of Defense is not pursuing...
HPAI/H5N1 update from Secretary Naig
Whether you call it “bird flu”, “High-Path Avian Influenza”, or “H5N1” we have been watching this disease move about the country in birds and dairy cattle. Iowa has not been spared, but we haven’t gotten the brunt of it either. We get a full update from Iowa Ag...
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Helping growers navigate economic headwinds to prepare for next growing season
At a time of lower commodity prices, Farmers Business Network is attempting to give growers all the tools to save money on inputs and purchase those inputs at the right time for their operation. FBN also is also helping farmers to find new income streams via...
HPAI detected in Sioux County and Palo Alto County
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Detected in a Sioux County Commercial Layer Flock DES MOINES, Iowa (Dec. 6, 2024) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection...
Getting the right parts the first time with CLAAS connect
Often referred to as the “next step in farming,” the CLAAS connect digital ecosystem is a cloud-based platform that provides farmers with unprecedented access to vital information at their fingertips. Now, machine maintenance can be much more efficient and much less...
October red meat exports higher than last year
Exports of U.S. beef and pork posted year-over-year increases in October, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). October beef exports totaled 105,269 metric tons (mt), up 1% from a year ago, while value increased 3%...
John Deere pleased with S7 combine performance this year
At Commodity Classic in March, we talked to Bergen Nelson at John Deere about their new S7 combines. These combines take the technology of the X9 and bring it to a smaller scale for smaller farming operations. Now, this fall, we have caught up with Bergen for his...
