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USDA Secretary Rollins announces Ranchers First Initiative
Earlier this week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the Ranchers First Initiative, a plan of several actions that aims to aid in the rebuilding of the U.S. cattle herd and bring ranchers back at the center of the food supply. During her visit to the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, Secretary Rollins discussed some of the included initiatives that will help give ranchers back some of the power that the Big 4 meat processors have been holding on to. Secretary Rollins also...
AFBF highlights gaps in Dairy Margin Coverage Program
The Dairy Margin Coverage Program is a farm safety net program that helps U.S. dairy farmers manage risk when the gap between milk prices and feed costs shrinks. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the program has been a big help...
Grassley sees several Senate pathways for year-round E15
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says there are several avenues for year-round E15 to pass in the Senate. Grassley says the freestanding House-passed E15 bill needs to be attached to another piece of legislation to make its way through the Senate. Senator...
Stand establishment offers one of the first real looks at yield potential
The first signs of emergence reveal far more than whether a crop came up. Stand establishment is one of the first meaningful tests of how well a planting plan is translating in the field. Uniform emergence, healthy seedlings and consistent populations can provide an...
Naig urges Senate action on Farm Bill
The House has passed its version of the Farm Bill, but Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the focus now turns to the Senate, where the legislation could face a much more difficult path forward. Naig said House passage was an important step toward giving farmers...
News from May Cattle on Feed Report
The May Cattle on Feed Report offers some of the latest trends from the cattle feedlots. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell provides some details. Total inventory was up 2% year over year, that was driven in part by a 6% increase in April of cattle placed in...
Enrollment underway for cover crop incentive program
Farmers for Soil Health has opened enrollment for its 2026 cover crop incentive program, offering higher payments and shorter contract terms aimed at encouraging broader participation among row-crop producers. The farmer-led initiative said enrollment will remain open...
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Swine producers taking advantage of strong economic factors
The swine industry has seen some rough times in recent years, but now things are finally feeling much better. When hog prices are good, it’s smart to look at ways to improve your operation while also keeping those profits intact. Chris Ford, vice president of swine...
June soybean outlook from USDA features small changes
The June WASDE report is typically moved on from quickly because of the importance of the reports at the end of the month. On June 30th the USDA will release the Planted Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports which will have the potential to move the markets...
EPA biofuel proposal boosts soybean oil demand outlook
A proposal by the Environmental Protection Agency to increase renewable fuel blending requirements through 2027 is drawing strong reactions across the agricultural sector and boosting expectations for soybean oil demand. The proposal would raise Renewable Fuel...
Boozman renews commitment to more farm aid
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman renewed his commitment to more farm aid during a committee hearing this week. Despite acknowledging USDA’s earlier $12 billion in farm aid as a big push for the industry, Boozman pointed out the need for more to be done to stop the...
New markets emerge across Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is becoming one of the most promising growth regions for U.S. grain exports. Rising populations, expanding economies, and a growing middle class are creating new demand for livestock feed, food ingredients, and transportation fuels across the region....
