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Fly season approaching fast for Iowa livestock producers
As livestock producers look ahead to warmer temperatures, fly pressure is already part of the conversation across much of the Midwest. While flies are often viewed as a seasonal annoyance, industry experts say their impact can reach far beyond irritation, affecting animal health, productivity, and overall profitability. Kirk Dailey, Regional Sales Manager with Central Life Sciences, says flies play a much larger role in livestock operations than many producers may realize. He notes that...
Iowa?s Region 6 crop update
Once again, the weather is affecting farmers across the state of Iowa. Some in the best way, while others in a not so good way. So far, this growing season, farmers have had to deal with drought conditions, damaging winds, strong storms, and excess amounts of rain....
Chief economist from Steiner Consulting Group highlights Hogs and Pigs Report
The USDA?s quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report showed 72.5 million hogs and pigs, down 1% from last year and down slightly from last quarter. Altin Kalo, Chief Economist at Steiner Consulting Group says inventory increased significantly for a couple of years, but we have...
Mexico and the Caribbean driving soaring demand for U.S. lamb
U.S. lamb exports so far in 2022 are 49% over the previous year by volume. Export value during that same period climbed 76% to nearly $10 million. While much of the growth is in variety meat exports to Mexico, the Caribbean is the largest destination for U.S. lamb...
Vilsack announces Bioproduct Pilot Program
The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new pilot program to support the development of biobased products. Specifically, USDA is looking for products that have lower carbon footprints and increase the use of renewable agricultural materials,...
One in three nursery pigs do not make it to market
You read that headline right, one in three nursery pigs do not make it to market in the US. This is a figure that needs to be improved upon when you consider the cost of each animal, and the potential profit margin each one brings. Before you panic, there are...
U.S. drought monitor reintroduces D3 drought to Northwest Iowa
The most recent U.S. drought monitor included an increase in the severity of droughts in parts of Iowa. This includes the introduction of D3-level drought up in the northwest part of the state, which hasn?t happened since August of last year. Iowa State Climatologist...
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U.S. pork seeking tariff relief in the Philippines
The Philippine Tariff Commission is conducting a comprehensive review of its most favored nation (MFN) tariff schedule. The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) filed comments in this proceeding, requesting that recent temporary reductions in the Philippines? MFN...
Davidson Prize winner revolutionizing greenhouse covers
The old saying is that ?necessity is the mother of invention.? There is a lot of truth to that, and it doesn?t always mean that there is a sense of urgency behind every idea. Sometimes it?s just time for an old idea to finally be improved upon, which seems to be...
ERS releases report on U.S. export crop competitiveness
The USDA?s Economic Research Service released a report titled ?U.S. Export Competitiveness in Select Crop Markets,? and it showed the U.S. is still the world?s top corn exporter. The report says that export shares and exports-to-production ratios indicate that the...
Corn fighting against E15 struggles and Mexico ban
Recently, we?ve talked a lot about corn?s success with export sales, especially when we discuss market prices. But there are two other things that the corn industry is battling right now that are really impeding it from reaching its full potential: the Biden...
Added facilities in Iowa improve production capability for Benson Hill
Benson Hill has been expanding its infrastructure in the state of Iowa in recent years. Jeff Johnson, the vice president of grower supply chain with Benson Hill says that the company?s recent facilities expansion in the state has been a big benefit for Iowa...
