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U.S. and Taiwan sign reciprocal trade agreement
Last week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the agreement includes significant market access gains for U.S. red meat exports, including beef, where Taiwan is already the fifth largest market. U.S. pork has been at a trade disadvantage with competitors in Taiwan with both tariff and non-tariff barriers. There are also consumer trust issues...
Crop insects to watch for in June
As the planting season is coming to an end, now is the perfect time for those insect pests to be making their appearances and farmers need to keep an eye out on those newly vulnerable crops.University of Illinois Field Crops Entomologist Nick Seiter says the insects...
Keeping hogs comfortable in summer
We have already had a few days that have given us a taste of summer in 2022. While the temps are a little more manageable, it may be time to go through your barns and make sure they are going to provide a comfortable temperature for your hogs during the summer.Chris...
Live bird exhibition ban lifted
Today, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the March 23 order that cancelled all live bird exhibitions at fairs and other gatherings of birds due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been lifted. It has been 30 days since USDA...
Bees & agriculture: what does the future hold?
For the past few years, we have been talking about the use of insecticides in agriculture and the effect it is having on the pollinators that are depended on in the ecosystem. Sometimes the discussions were heated. Sometimes the discussions were only inclusive to one...
AgriGold agronomist talks early season crop management
As we start the month of June, many farmers are either finished with planting or are wrapping it up soon. Of course, that doesn?t mean all the work is done. Now, it?s time to look for crop emergence and stands. Southwest Iowa AgriGold Agronomist Sue Brakhane, who is...
Farm Bureau gathering input on Farm Bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation is working on gathering farmers? priorities as the 2023 Farm Bill is starting its process of being created by lawmakers. AFBF Vice President of Public Policy, Sam Kieffer, says over the summer many lawmakers will be gathering...
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More Ag News
Hinson talks foreign ownership of U.S. farmland
A recent issue that has been making its way through the House and the Senate is the foreign ownership of U.S. land, specifically when it comes to farmland. The Chinese Communist Party in particular has been bold with its purchases of U.S. farmland. Iowa 2nd District...
Iowa officials react to E15 rule delay
Today, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it will propose a rule authorizing the year-round sale of gasoline blends containing 15 percent ethanol in several midwestern states. However, the rule would delay action and not take effect until 2024. While this...
Senator Grassley optimistic about 2023 farm bill deadline
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa holds a weekly conference call with ag broadcasters and reporters. This week Senator Grassley was asked if he thinks a farm bill can be completed and agreed upon by September of 2023 or whether the deadline will have to be...
Ag Innovation Challenge seeking top entrepreneurs
The American Farm Bureau Federation?s (AFBF) Ag Innovation Challenge is looking for entrepreneurs and innovators for the 2024 edition of the contest, which is a business-based competition designed to showcase startups in the U.S. Chase Hieneman, director of industry...
Farmers moving forward after Ohio train disaster
By now you have heard about the derailment of a train in eastern Ohio last month. The twisted metal and fire not only sent shockwaves through the area it happened in, but those shockwaves created ripples throughout the world. All eyes have been on our government and...
