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Trump order protects glyphosate, phosphate production
President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order mobilizing the Defense Production Act to protect the domestic production of elemental phosphorus and glyphosate-based herbicides. The order says these two critical inputs are essential to military readiness and America’s agricultural strength, respectively. The Order finds that any interruption of the supply of either of these critical materials could leave the defense industrial base and food supply vulnerable to hostile foreign actors. Reuters...
Dairy industry looking to make some market reforms as well
We have been hearing much about the need for market reform in the beef industry and the debates that have been going along with that. Producers are questioning how much market share is too much when only four packers call the shots on 85% of the marketplace.Beef isn?t...
Basic principles of PRRS control are still effective at preventing outbreaks
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) can have a devastating economic effect on the swine industry, whether that?s locally or nationally. New strains of the virus often create concern among both producers and veterinarians, but time and time again, the...
USDA acreage report shows farmers staying the course
Farmers have gotten off to a rough start this year when it comes to planting and we have been through the ringer in many forms this growing season. In turn, farmers have planted slightly less acres than last year according to the June 30 acreage report from...
Iowa?s Region 9 crop update
Mother nature is showing farmers who is boss this season, while also showing some favoritism towards certain parts of the state. As the growing season is moving right along for Iowa, some regions are having better luck this year than others. Southeast Iowa has started...
House lawmakers introduce American Port Access Privileges Act
Two California Democrats Wednesday introduced the American Port Access Privileges Act in the House of Representatives. John Garamendi and Jim Costa say the bill follows up on the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. Representative Costa says, ?We need to remove bottlenecks and...
Pork policy perplexes a plethora of politicians
It is only a small percentage of lawmakers in Congress that know anything about rural America. Rural areas of the country make up only a small percentage of representation in the House of Representatives. Getting the story out to that many people is a Herculean task...
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More Ag News
Weather and moisture outlooks continue to trend favorably
The most recent drought monitor was status quo. We?re still trending in the right direction, though, especially compared to where things were last year. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan provided a breakdown of the U.S. Drought Monitor Report.The weather has...
Most row crop acreage now managed using auto-steer and guidance
Auto-steer and guidance system adoption on U.S. farms increased sharply in the past 20 years, according to USDA?s Economic Research Service. Farmers indicate they use the technology on more than 50 percent of the acreage planted to corn, soybeans, winter wheat, and...
USB working to ensure domestic demand remains strong
We have spent a few segments visiting with Mac Marshall of the United Soybean Board. We have discussed how the Soybean Checkoff is wisely investing your checkoff dollars into research, promotion, and driving demand. We talked about some of the tried-and-true...
Fertilizer prices down at an inopportune time
Fertilizer prices skyrocketed for much of 2022, but 2023 is a different story so far. Prices are down almost across the board from this time last year. Unfortunately, as planting season approaches many farmers have already locked in their plans and pricing for...
Safety tips for proper manure application
As spring approaches and once the fields are ready, farmers and manure handlers may be pumping nutrient-dense manure to apply to crop fields. Marguerite Tan, director of environmental programs with the National Pork Board, says safety is where you must start, at the...
