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Encouraging Iowa consumers to buy more food locally
Every year, Iowans spend approximately $12.6 billion on food. Unfortunately, much of that money does not stay within the state. In order to bring some of this spending back to Iowa, the Iowa Food System Coalition has launched the Iowa Local Food Challenge. By inviting Iowa consumers to spend more of their dollars on Iowa-grown food, the challenge aims to shift food spending back into Iowa communities, which would support farmers, strengthen local markets, and build back a more resilient food...
Groups respond to small refinery exemptions decision
A coalition representing farmers and ethanol producers responded to last week’s decision of the Fifth Circuit Court on Small Refinery Exemptions under the Renewable Fuels Standard. The Court remanded to the Environmental Protection Agency its rejection of six small...
2024 Seed purchasing decisions are upon us
Decision time is upon us for 2024 seeding decisions. In order to make informed ones though, we need to know about performance in 2023. The growing season featured high moisture stress, high heat stress for a lot of us in Iowa, fertility stress for some of us as well,...
The grills may be cold, but pork is still hot
With the mercury dipping to the single digits at night and the sprinkling of snow on the ground, many of you are probably putting your grills away or under their covers for the season. (Unless you are a die-hard like me, but that’s a story for another time.) The idea...
Helping farmers overcome some of the toughest challenges
In row crop production there is a seemingly endless cycle of new challenges that confront farmers each year. Fortunately, growers are very adept at taking on new problems and using the tools at their disposal to overcome those obstacles. Nick Schweizer is the Director...
Pork and beef exports to China strengthen
U.S. beef and pork exports to China received a boost recently. China’s General Administration of Customs approved 18 U.S. beef establishments and 12 U.S. pork establishments for export to China – the first new U.S. plants cleared for export to China in about 10...
Most states saw growth in net farm income in 2022
The U.S. saw growth of almost 31 percent in net farm income from 2021 through 2022. NFI is a broad measure of farm sector profitability. Researchers with USDA’s Economic Research Service used data from the Farm Income and Wealth Statistics to classify states into six...
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Connecting with consumers to put more pork on the plate (Part 2)
Among younger generations in the United States, fresh pork consumption is on the decline. What does that mean for the pork industry and how can the industry adapt to make pork the protein of choice for younger consumers? Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork Board, says...
Thompson proceeding with House farm bill markup
The markup for House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson’s farm bill will move ahead on Thursday despite scores from the Congressional Budget Office that raise questions. The CBO says the scores provided don’t amount to offsets that would allow the bill to be...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-23-24)
The USDA released another low-key export sales report this week, with both corn and soybeans coming within the estimates once again. However, this is looking great for corn, as that market has now seen five consecutive weeks of decent or better export sales. Allendale...
USDA funding expanded opportunities for overseas markets
The USDA is allocating $300 million to 66 organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the agency launched RAPP in October 2023 to expand marketing opportunities overseas for American agricultural...
E15 ready for the summer driving season
This weekend is the unofficial kickoff of summer. Many schools are out, pools are opening, grills are heating up, and vacations are being planned. That is why with all the busy activities you have planned; it is important to save money wherever you can. That is where...
