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Younger consumers continue to cook more pork
Demand for ground pork continues to grow, driven by its versatility in the kitchen and its role as a gateway protein for younger consumers learning to cook with pork. Gen Z and millennial consumers are leading in both purchase frequency and annual spending. Neal Hull, director of state and regional marketing with the National Pork Board, said they are working with retailers to ensure ground pork is prominently placed and easy for shoppers to find in the meat case. Hull said one area they...
What would return of La Niña weather pattern mean for growers?
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center this week announced that it foresees a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral by April-June 2024 (83% chance), with the odds of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 (62% chance). Typically, the La Niña pattern...
Secretary Naig encourages Iowans to celebrate Iowa ag week
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged all Iowans to celebrate Iowa Ag Week from Sunday, March 17 through Saturday, March 23. The weeklong statewide celebration, which includes National Ag Day on March 19, will highlight the immense importance of...
Some lawmakers believe a Farm Bill is still possible
The Farm Bill question is a hot topic as we have discussed in the past few months. There is a lot of worry and concern that the clock is ticking and both sides of the political spectrum have dug their feet in so hard, that politics is going to affect the biggest piece...
Precision ag tech assisting growers with soil fertility and analysis
In 2024 precision agriculture tools are available for nearly every aspect of row crop farming. These precision ag technology tools have made farms more efficient and sustainable while allowing producers to refine their management practices each year. Soil nutrient...
NCBA encouraged by final “Product of USA” rule
USDA this week finalized its “Product of USA” rule. Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of government affairs, says he is encouraged by the action. Now comes review of the final rule. Bacus says NCBA will be looking closely at...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-14-24)
After a bullish WASDE report last week, this week’s export sales report was extremely neutral. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both corn and soybeans came within expectations this week. There have been a lot of sales cancellations from China lately with...
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More Ag News
Soy checkoff & State organizations make investment in PNW Soy Meal Port
Earlier this week we talked about the work being done by the beef checkoff to invest dollars into continuing education. The soybean checkoff is also investing in the marketability of the soybeans that we grow. Recently a group led by the United Soybean Board (USB),...
Pro Farmer Crop Tour saw lower day one results than last year
The results from the first day of Pro-Farmer’s annual Midwest Crop Tour are lower than last year. About a thousand scouts- including our own Andy Petersen- headed out into Midwestern corn and soybean fields on Monday to objectively determine the final projections....
Many fields in southwest Iowa are looking outstanding
With some pretty cooperative weather during pollination, the fields in southwest Iowa are mostly looking great as we approach the end of the crop year. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said that, while some areas could use some rain, he’s very pleased with...
Farm Progress Show ready for the latest and greatest in agriculture
The Farm Progress Show will take place Tuesday August 27th-Thursday August 29th at the Farm Progress Show site in Boone Iowa. FPS media day was held on Wednesday to showcase the newest attractions at the show along with the final preparations being made for the...
Food Bank of Iowa receives 6,000 pounds of food from ISF vendors
Sixteen Iowa State Fair vendors have donated 6,000 pounds of surplus food to Food Bank of Iowa at the close of this year’s fair. (That’s half of last year’s 12,000 pounds, but not surprising given the fair attracted an all-time record number of visitors this year:...
