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Reference price adjustments aim to support farm income
After more than a decade without major updates, reference prices used in federal farm programs are being adjusted, a change that could impact producer revenue moving forward. In an interview with the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said those updates were included in the same H.R. 1 legislation passed last summer that also addressed tax policy affecting agriculture. Reference prices play a key role in the farm safety net, helping determine support...
Derecho hits parts of corn belt again
We had thunderstorm activity show up in parts of Iowa yesterday. We saw some wind damage in some parts of the state. By the time it was ready to leave our state, the word Derecho was being tossed around by forecasters in the eastern corn belt.Fellow farm broadcaster...
Overcoming crop stress to deliver quality yields
Iowa Soybean Association Treasurer and District 1 Director Brent Swart is a farmer in Northwest Iowa near Spencer. While almost the entire state is in moderate to severe drought right now in 2023, northwest Iowa dealt with the most severe drought conditions in the...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-29-23)
Export sales were looking better for a couple weeks, but that might be reversing already. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest U.S. export sales report.Mexico also made a flash purchase of U.S. corn, but that?s sending mixed signals...
AFBF hosts first Ag ConnectHER event
The American Farm Bureau Federation recently held the first Ag ConnectHER event to inspire women in agricultural leadership. Shawn Wood, Western Region Representative on the Farm Bureau Women?s Leadership Committee, was the emcee for the first event.?We're super...
Drought brings spider mite threat to midwestern fields
We know that every year is different. Farmers must prepare for any eventuality and be able to pivot your plan on very short notice. Different weather patterns also bring other problems with them. Different diseases, weed pressures, and even pest problems come along...
Placements jump 5% over 2022 in June cattle on feed report
USDA?s June Cattle on Feed report declared a three percent decline on-feed. It also showed a five percent increase in placements versus a year ago.According to USDA, cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of...
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AFBF announces new mental health resource for farming families
Mental health is not something that should be taken lightly. It's okay to not feel okay, but it's also important to make sure that you and your loved ones are doing what you can to develop and promote positive mental health. This past Sunday, the American Farm Bureau...
Budget disputes leading to farm bill frustrations
Congress has voted to extend temporary funding again to keep the government open, but in the process has likely produced more delays in writing a farm bill. That has led to frustration among members of Congress hoping to complete work on the farm bill early in 2024....
Fed’s January 2024 beige book on ag economy
The Federal Reserve Board released its January 2024 Beige Book, a summary of its commentary on the current economic conditions in each Federal Reserve District. In the sixth district around Atlanta, Low cattle supply led to higher cattle prices, but consumers are...
Will the grains continue to pull back on price levels?
We are almost one month into the new year, and we have been seeing a lot of red splotches on the grain markets. That’s not to say there has been a general slide, but it feels like there have been more low days than highs. The markets seem to keep retreating from the...
How to adjust your planter for no-till fields
When using no-till practices, the soil is obviously not as soft at the surface due to the residue from the previous crop. If you don’t adjust your planting practices to go along with your no-till practices, then your yields will take a hit. Roger Wilcox, one of the...
