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Grassley discusses what’s next for farm bill in the Senate
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says there is little room for bargaining in the Senate on a key farm bill demand from Democrats. Grassley says that Senate Ag Democrats are asking for too much in farm bill negotiations. Grassley argues that forcing states with high SNAP error rates to pay more of their food stamp costs is the best way to fight fraud. He says delaying the issue will cost billions. Food stamp reform has derailed farm bill negotiations in Congress for three years, says...
New crop protection options available in sweet corn hybrids
Efficiency is everything when raising a crop these days. Market prices aren’t as attractive as they were, input costs are constantly rising, and the profit margins are getting squeezed thinner and thinner all the time. So, if there is an opportunity to do a little...
Updating reference prices must be a priority in the next farm bill
As input prices go up and commodity prices go down, farmers rely on the reference prices in the farm safety net to help stay in business when margins get squeezed. Betty Resnick, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), explained the basics of...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-4-24)
Another week of uneventful export sales has come and gone with little reaction from the markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers for corn. Beans were much worse off, though, as this week marked the eleventh week in a row of...
Summertime E15 waiver decision timeline
The clock is ticking, and time is running out for the Biden EPA to decide on a summertime E15 waiver which would allow for summer sales at the pump. A waiver is needed for sales of E15 to be allowed this summer, before a more permanent rule allowing for E15 sales goes...
New technology key to increasing ag productivity
Technological developments in agriculture have enabled continued output growth without requiring many additional inputs. Innovations in animal and crop genetics, chemicals, equipment, and farm organization have made it possible for total agricultural output to nearly...
Producers “egg”cited about the this year’s Easter egg consumption
With the easter holiday now past us, you have probably sworn off ham for at least six months even though you know it won't be the case because Iowa's pork farmers do such a great job producing delicious pork. You are also probably still eating the discount candy you...
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More Ag News
Case IH announces new AF9 and AF10 series combines
One of the most visually impressive sights at the Farm Progress Show every year is the cutting-edge machinery on display. This year was definitely the year of the combine for Case IH, with new models being announced approximately every 100 days. Kurt Coffey, vice...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-6-24)
As the U.S. continues to have discounted grain in the global market, the export sales need to be following along as countries take advantage of the opportunity for cheaper corn and soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest report...
USDA lowers forecast for farm production expenses
In most years a farmer can expect to pay more than they did the year before for production expenses. However, in USDA’s new farm income forecast for this year, the report calls for lower production expenses. That is Spiro Stafanou, administrator of USDA's Economic...
What’s keeping farmland prices high?
The farmland market across the Midwest is resilient. While the markets have been pushing lower for almost a year and reaching below breakeven levels, Doug Hensley, President of Hertz Farm Management, says we’ve not seen land prices retreat in a similar fashion. While...
Solinftec’s new docking station takes autonomy to new level
We have talked in the past about Solinftec’s autonomous sprayers that can go around your field, under solar power, and take care of your spraying needs 24/7. However, there have been questions about how often the unit needs attending. Just like with any piece of...
