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USDA issues second assistance payment to producers
The USDA will issue a second Emergency Commodity Assistance Program payment to eligible producers for the 2024 crop year. Of the authorized $10 billion in ECAP assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has already provided over $8 billion in payments to eligible producers to mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. “Initial ECAP payments were factored by 85 percent to ensure that total program payments didn’t exceed $10 billion in available funding,” said USDA...
EPA changes some dicamba cutoff dates for this spring
The Environmental Protection Agency proposed new restrictions on using over-the-top dicamba herbicides in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, and South Dakota. The label changes say no spraying on dicamba-tolerant soybeans in Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana after June 12 or the V4...
Melting snow provides much-needed moisture, but we still need more
Not much has changed recently in the U.S. Drought Monitor. It?s great that it?s not getting worse, but we need to start to make progress on those moisture deficits. Thankfully, Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said that the warmer temperatures we?ve seen...
National Pork Board working to expand export opportunities
The National Pork Board is always looking for ways to expand export opportunities for U.S. Pork.One of the ways in which the NPB learns about international trade markets is by taking trips to those countries to try and find ways to differentiate U.S. Pork from...
U.S. and UK discuss trade as Mexico issues new decree
The United States and the United Kingdom continue to explore the path towards a trade agreement, though there are still several obstacles that need to be addressed. Dave Salmonsen, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Government Affairs Director, the countries have...
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig talks Farm Bill
With the Farm Bill up for renewal, Congress is hearing from stakeholders all around the country. It is the largest piece of farm and food legislation, and all corners are weighing in. It isn?t just farmers and farm organizations, but also state governments that are...
Partnership to protect the U.S. from African Swine Fever
A new partnership was put in place at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference. NASDA, the USDA, the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council are working together to enhance coordination and preparedness...
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Precision ag upgrades provide latest technology to growers
Precision ag upgrades from John Deere allow a farmer to upgrade their existing farm equipment without needing to buy a completely new ag implement or piece of equipment. That’s Yancy Wright with John Deere who says that retrofit technology can be outfitted seamlessly...
Margin Protection offers safety net for farmers
Farming is an inherently risky business, and, unfortunately, it sometimes feels like there’s nothing you can control. However, that makes it even more important to take the reins for things you actually can control. Doug Burns, regional vice president of insurance...
Excessive heat lowers crop condition ratings
A six percent drop in the primary crop condition rating across the state according to the USDA’s latest numbers. Weekly crop condition ratings are out from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional Office. Agricultural Statistician Brian...
Gas lower, diesel higher, ahead of Labor Day Weekend
For the first time in over a month, the nation's average price of gasoline declined, falling 4.0 cents from a week ago to $3.78 per gallon. The national average is up 5.8 cents from a month ago but 3.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average...
Generating more sustainable soy for the future of farming
Sustainability practices are some of the biggest things we are discussing in agriculture right now. We are constantly looking at ways to do better work on protecting our soil, air, and water. Farmers are embracing new ways to do better and make sure that they are...
