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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...
Class III milk futures likely to see continued choppiness
The Class III milk market has experienced significant volatility recently, with prices fluctuating and market participants seeking clear direction. Kathleen Wolfley, an agriculture broker with Ever.Ag, provided insights into the current dynamics and future outlook for...
Independence Day means so much more than a day off
Today, as most of us enjoy a day off work, we should take the time to reflect on what the 4th of July means. 248 years ago, men from across a fledgling nation sat in a small room in Philadelphia and found a way to put aside their differences and come to an mutually...
Sec Naig wraps up Dairy Month at Thelma’s
Last month was Dairy Month, and to finish off that celebration, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig (a known dairy connoisseur) visited Thelma’s in Des Moines to tour the facility and check out their famous ice cream sandwiches. Highlighting dairy isn’t just for the month of...
USDA releases proposed FMMO updates
The USDA held a 49-day Federal Milk Marketing Order hearing and listened to hundreds of hours of testimony, which resulted in reform proposals released this week. Roger Cryan, chief economist with the American Farm Bureau, said the changes have some positives. Cryan...
Grassley says Vilsack wrong on lowering farm bill expectations
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s call for the GOP to lower its farm bill expectations is “wrong.” During a conference call with ag broadcasters this week, Senator Grassley was asked about Ag Secretary Vilsack’s call for...
Mexico to drop plan to cut yellow corn imports
The incoming government in Mexico will discard a key goal of the previous administration to reduce yellow corn imports and achieve self-sufficiency in yellow corn production. Investing Dot Com says the incoming ag minister, Julio Berdegue, says Mexico will focus on...
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Liver flukes are a growing problem for cattle producers
Previously only an issue for cattle producers in the wet regions of the Gulf and Pacific coasts, liver flukes have become a growing problem for producers across the country. David Shirbroun, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim, said liver...
Previewing the November USDA Cattle on Feed report
USDA will publish the November Cattle on Feed report on Friday November 22nd at 2pm central time. The monthly report offers data on the number of cattle on feed, placements in feedlots, and marketings. At this point in 2024 many analysts had expected to see the number...
New appointments to the State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the appointment of Iowans to serve on the State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee. The Committee promotes the adoption of proven water quality practices and provides expert advice and input related to...
Thanksgiving dinner will be slightly cheaper, but still historically pricy
The American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving Cost Survey shows the traditional ingredients in a holiday dinner will cost a little less this year. Volunteer shoppers calculated the cost of a typical Thanksgiving Day meal for ten people. Bernt Nelson, an economist...
Talking with the EPA Part 1
Last week, I attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention in Kansas City. With so many broadcasters from all over the country, the convention was a hotbed of topics that were both regional and national in nature. One organization that would...
