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Secretary Naig and INREC launch nitrogen soil sampling project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced a new, three-year Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that will conduct nitrogen soil testing for farmers in targeted areas upstream from the Des Moines metro. Testing for residual nitrogen in the soil can help farmers dial in their fertilizer application rates, which may help cut input costs while delivering meaningful water quality benefits. Residual nitrogen levels can vary...
Barchart releases 2023 crop production and yield estimates
Barchart Tuesday released their initial 2023 crop production and yield forecasts for U.S. corn and soybeans. The report indicates a cutback to USDA?s projected figures from the May 12 World Agricultural Supply and Demand Report. The Barchart forecast calls for 15...
Bird Flu break doesn?t mean we can relax our vigilance
It?s nice to be thinking of High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) as an afterthought right now. It has been almost three months since our last confirmed case. We all know that this outbreak lasted longer than the previous outbreak in 2015. There were also more...
Eastern Iowa and Corn Belt seeing increased drought risk
Timely rains have been popping up around the state, but there?s still some drought creeping in. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan provided an update on the latest U.S. Drought Monitor.The recent storms and showers have been nice, but you have to be lucky to...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-6-23)
Clear skies continue to be the story for the weather in South America. This is great news for Brazilian farmers who have just started harvesting second crop corn. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided an update on the latest weather conditions.McBride said...
MOUs with equipment manufacturers will reduce downtime
The American Farm Bureau Federation recently signed two more right to repair MOUs, this time with AGCO and Kubota. Emily Buckman, AFBF Government Affairs Director, says combined with MOUs from John Deere and CNH Industrial, the four agreements cover roughly 70 percent...
Iowa planting all but wrapped up, but moisture is in short supply
We are now in the first full week of June, and from the looks of things, planting is all but wrapped up in the state of Iowa. The latest weekly crop progress report had this to say.?Farmers were still planting some corn and soybeans this week, however nearly all...
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Battle between electric vehicles and ethanol will heat up in 2024
This year will likely be full of competition between electric vehicles (EVs) and ethanol-powered hybrids as the ethanol industry makes a play for a share of the carbon-reducing vehicle market and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) moves to finalize tough new...
State pesticide labeling reform a debate for next farm bill
As lawmakers once again prepare to begin work on a new farm bill in 2024, farm bill priorities are being voiced by all parties. One area of the ag sector which could be a candidate for reform in the new farm bill could be the pesticide labeling process. The EPA is...
December rural mainstreet index sank
Creighton University’s Rural Mainstreet Index sank below growth neutral for a fourth-straight month in December. Based on a survey of bank CEOs in a ten-state region, the index rose to 41.7 from November’s 40.4. That’s still lower than October’s 44.4. The index ranges...
Just when you think the government couldn’t get more absurd
When you're facing crippling federal debt with a government that has no problem spending your money, your kids’ money, and the money of the next three generations, it is no surprise that they are finding new and inventive ways to keep sticking their hands further into...
Sustainability and profitability go hand in hand
Farmers are always looking to be sustainable, which itself is usually a way to increase profitability. But now there are other ways, like carbon market programs, that can provide extra revenue to those sustainable practices. Travis Kraft, national sales director of...
