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Pilot program targets nitrogen efficiency
As Iowa farmers prepare to get planters rolling this spring, a new soil testing effort is aiming to help producers better manage fertilizer costs while also improving environmental outcomes. Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the pilot program focuses on understanding how much residual nitrogen is already present in the soil before additional fertilizer is applied. He says recent conditions, including drought and a warm winter, have created higher-than-normal nitrogen carryover in some...
Agoro Carbon encouraging cover crop diversification
Diversifying your cover crop strategy can have many sustainable benefits, and that’s why Agoro Carbon is encouraging farmers to add legumes to their cover crop mix. Clay Craighton, strategic accounts manager, said the change will allow legacy farmers to enjoy the...
USDA provides $5 million to help organic dairy producers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is announcing a second round of payments for dairy producers through the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP), providing an additional $5 million to help dairy producers mitigate market volatility, higher input...
Former ag secretary Bill Northey talks 2023 crop year
Anticipation building for full scale harvest to begin across the state. Certainly that happens every year as we reap the rewards of our efforts yet this year it comes with a bit of trepidation this year as well with the dry weather and a concern for yield results....
Ernst not pleased with slow pace of Farm Bill
The Farm Bill Deadline is next Saturday the 30th of September. As of right now, not only does it look like we won’t get it done before next week, but we may also not even get it done before next year. That is the worst-case scenario, as we look at what will likely be...
U.S. Export Sales Report (9-21-23)
Very low soybean exports provided a bearish tone to an otherwise unremarkable report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided an analysis of the latest U.S. export sales. While this had a slight impact on the lower prices today, McBride said the Fed’s...
Precision ag technology providing new tools for farmers
As precision ag technology continues to make advances in almost every area of agriculture, farmers are uncovering new tools to make their operation as efficient and cost friendly as possible. One of the latest technological advancements from Precision Planting is the...
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Renovations underway at Iowa State Fair’s historic sheep barn
Believe it or not, the livestock buildings at the Iowa State Fair have each been there for over 100 years. And if you drive across the fairgrounds right now, you’ll notice that one barn in particular- the sheep barn- is getting some modern renovations that will...
Celebrating the past, present, and future of agriculture
The 36th annual Celebration of Agriculture dinner took place in Cedar Rapids last week to celebrate Iowa Ag Week. Both Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig and former U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue, who was this year’s featured speaker, were in attendance to highlight Iowa...
Grain stocks report shows more corn, beans in storage
The USDA’s Grain Stocks Report shows corn stocks in all positions on March 1, 2024, totaled 8.35 billion bushels, up 13 percent from March 1, 2023. Of the total stocks, 5.08 billion bushels were stored on farms, 24 percent higher than last year. Off-farm stocks were...
Unleashing potential with advancements in soybeans
The Research Center for Farming Innovation at Iowa Soybean Association features an on-farm research center, an analytics and insights team, and a conservation team. Christie Wiebbecke is the chief officer of research and conservation at Iowa Soybean Association and...
2024 farmland prices could be anybody’s guess
As we look ahead to the new growing season, one thing that will certainly be on the minds of producers and farm families is the acquisition of more land for either expansion of the family operation, or for beginning farmers looking to make a start. Of course, we know...
