Top Stories
New data shows continued threat to food affordability due to California Prop. 12
Equipped with brand new retail and U.S. Department of Agriculture data reinforcing California Proposition 12’s detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 American pork producers from 23 states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers. Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop.12-driven price increases have persisted, even two years after the law was fully implemented. On average, prices...
California delays Prop 12 implementation
California this week delayed the implementation of Proposition 12. Granting six months of additional relief for products in the supply chain allows grocery stores to remain stocked so Californians have uninterrupted access to pork products, especially with rising food...
NPPC is dedicated to improving export climate for pork industry.
When we have been talking about the pork industry lately, we have focused on things like the low market prices, and the Prop 12 issue. However, there is much more to what is going on in the industry. Obviously, when we are dealing with a global economy that is being...
Despite talk of weather pattern changes, the soil is getting dryer
Several areas in the Upper Midwest and the Corn Belt are continuing to struggle with drought. Dennis Todey, director of the USDA?s Midwest Climate Hub in Iowa, said some areas haven?t gotten away from excessively dry weather in several years.Todey said the expanding...
Combatting summer heat stress in dairy cattle
Temperatures can get very hot in rural America from April through September, and the recent weather here in Iowa has been a prime example of that. Combine those high temps with a high humidity index, and dairy cows will get heat stressed. Dr. Glenn Holub is the...
Connecting with consumers online to increase demand for beef
Marketing and promotion of the beef product has changed dramatically over the years.Social media has become a central focus of connecting with consumers.Greg Hanes, Cattlemen?s Beef Board CEO, says social media now plays a large role in marketing beef as it gives...
Midwest drought has Mississippi River level concerns coming back
Remember last summer and early fall when we were so worried about the levels of the Mississippi river? Even though those levels eventually came back up, we are still not out of the woods. Drought has gripped much of the Midwest, and the main tributaries of the Old Man...
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More Ag News
A new way to buy seed, tailored to your operation
Just because something has been done the same way for a long time doesn’t necessarily mean it is the best way to perform that task. Sometimes an overhaul is needed and a new way of thinking or looking at a problem can deliver improved results. Christy Schrader is a...
Social security benefits to increase this year
Social Security benefits, which are critical for elderly rural residents, are going to increase by 3.2% this year. That averages out to about $59 more per month. However, AARP Oklahoma State Director Sean Voskuhl said it’s a significantly lower increase than last...
USDA investing in biofuels
The USDA is awarding grants worth $19 million to American businesses to increase the availability of biofuels in 22 states and give Americans cleaner and more affordable options at gas station pumps. Blending ethanol into gasoline has helped reduce fuel costs by...
Corteva says don’t skimp on weed control in 2024
As we come out of 2023 and the varied weather we saw across the entire cornbelt, especially the drought we had in the west; we need to be prepared to protect our crops in 2024. Unless a miracle happens and the drought breaks quickly, we can expect our crops to start...
Merck helping producers mitigate bovine respiratory disease
One of the top diseases that cattle producers need to look out for is bovine respiratory disease (BRD). On top of the health risks BRD poses to the cattle, it also adds stress and limits their gains. Tim Parks, cattle technical services manager with Merck Animal...
