Top Stories
Fertilizer price probe opens as farm margins tighten
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an industrywide investigation into fertilizer prices after sharp increases during spring planting. Reuters reported that FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency is using civil investigative demands to gather documents and testimony. The probe comes as growers face higher fertilizer and fuel costs, drought in parts of the Plains and another year of narrow margins. Reuters said urea prices have climbed 55% since shipping through the Strait of Hormuz...
Top scientists defend biofuels in court
Eight of the nation’s top agricultural, biomass, and greenhouse gas lifecycle scientists filed a brief on July 3rd challenging the faulty assumptions underpinning a number of attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard. The brief was filed in the District Court of Appeals...
Rooftop farms becoming more popular in urban areas
More and more, consumers are looking to produce their own food or have a better understanding of where the food comes from. However, land is hard to come by inside of urban sprawl. There are some community gardens, but they are limited to how many people can...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-9-24)
Even though we took a break from covering South America over the 4th of July holiday week, the weather is still largely the same. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather in Brazil and Argentina. That dry weather is continuing to...
NPB researching future consumers of pork
The National Pork Board recently completed an extensive research project focused on consumer segmentation. David Newman, the senior vice president of market growth at NPB, discussed the objectives behind the initiative, highlighting its aim to better understand the...
Grassley voices concerns over EPA’s biofuel blending volumes delay
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is continuing to voice frustrations with the Environmental Protection Agency’s delay in announcing biofuel blending volumes for 2026-2028. Grassley says the delay in the announcement is negatively affecting the biofuel...
Secretary Naig encourages farmers to utilize the hay and straw directory
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowans to take advantage of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s free, searchable online directory for hay and straw. This resource aims to facilitate connections between Iowa farmers looking...
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More Ag News
Secretary Naig talks the end of Harvest 2024
As the combines are put away, the tillage is finished, and the fertilizers are being applied, we see the 2024 harvest ending in Iowa. On my travels to Kansas City, I only passed one cornfield still standing. It marks a harvest in which Mother Nature had a rare moment...
Using multiple modes of action against corn rootworm
Corn rootworm is a pest that robs farmers of yields every year. When fighting against it, though, it’s important to make sure that you’re not relying on just one method. Wen Carter, marketing manager with AMVAC, said there was a notable amount of corn rootworm...
USDA reports rising cattle feedlot placements
The key takeaway from the USDA November Cattle on Feed report is that the number of placements into feedlots remains high. That’s USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell who says that producers placed more cattle into feedlots in October than a year ago with...
Corn growers release quarterly economic update
The National Corn Growers Association’s Economic Update reported on everything from trends to challenges, opportunities, and market conditions in U.S. agriculture. The rapid 2024 harvest gives farmers an edge on any fall field preparations and more time to finalize...
USMEF seminar helps exporters navigate Cuban market
After many years of having a minimal presence in the market, U.S. red meat is gaining traction in Cuba, due in part to an expansion of private sector buying. To help U.S. suppliers capitalize on this opportunity, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) recently held...
