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Farmers face another year of tight margins
U.S. farmers are entering another growing season with tight profit margins as lower crop prices, elevated input costs, and trade uncertainty weigh on the outlook for 2026. Corn and soybean prices remain below levels seen during recent highs, while expenses for fertilizer, fuel, seed, and machinery continue to pressure farm budgets. Economists say many producers may break even or post losses unless yields are strong or markets improve later this year. Dakota News Now reports some growers are...
Cattle nutrition needs to be specific
While we know nutrition is a cornerstone of well-being for humans and animals, it has a large significance in the life of a cow, from calf to mature adult. Dr. Kevin Dill, director of dairy technical innovation for Purina, said cattle nutrition is not a...
WOTUS still in play after SCOTUS decision
The never-ending legal fight over EPA’s wetlands jurisdiction and which are considered Waters of the U.S. is beginning its next chapter. That’s according to testimony at a recent Senate hearing. The Environmental Protection Agency’s vagueness in a final Waters of the...
MRCC encouraging all farmers to practice sustainable agriculture
The Midwest Row Crop Collaborative (MRCC), a consortium that encourages farmers across the Corn Belt to use sustainable ag practices, has steadily grown since its inception in 2016 to include nearly 2,700 farmers. In its 2022 Impact Report, the MRCC said that 70% of...
Early 2023 hog and cattle weights lagged behind 2022
Live weights of both hogs and cattle ran below year-earlier weights for the early part of 2023. Hog live weights averaged 284.9 pounds through the week ending on July 8, 2023, compared to 287.3 pounds during the same time in 2022. That’s an average difference of over...
How crazy could 2024 be for commodity markets?
It’s been a crazy couple of years in the Ag marketplace and the economy. Pandemics, supply chain failures, weather, wars, and much more. It makes it difficult to try and get a handle on some of your marketing plans, especially as we finish the 2023 growing season and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-19-23)
It’s been another decent week of export sales in the grain markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided an analysis of this week’s report. McBride said that China was a big purchaser of soybeans this week. Soybean meal has also been an outstanding...
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More Ag News
Despite HPAI outbreak, U.S. milk is still safe to drink
The last couple of years have seen outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the spring and fall as temperatures change. However, this year has seen an unusual outbreak of the virus among dairy cattle. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau...
Field demonstrations will return to 2024 Farm Progress Show
The 2024 Farm Progress Show will be held in Boone August 27th-29th. It will be the first time the show has been held in Iowa since 2022 with the 2023 show taking place in Decatur Illinois. Last week a meeting was held for exhibitors and vendors at the show site in...
Secretary Naig announces investments in 14 urban water quality projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will invest in 14 urban water quality projects within communities of all sizes across the state. Secretary Naig made the announcement with city leaders...
Modern ag on the mall is coming to D.C.
With ag policies still in limbo and a growing disconnect between consumers and their food, it is always good to take the time to help tell the story of American agriculture and give our audience a first-hand experience in what we do. That is why events like Ag on the...
Upgrading technology and saving money with precision spraying
As precision ag technology continues to evolve one of the challenges is making new technology readily available for farmers at an affordable price. One of the ways that is being employed is by offering new technology options for farmers in the form of precision...
