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Senate Finance Committee looks closely at USMCA trade deal
With the review process of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement set to begin later this year, the Senate Finance Committee took a closer look at the deal this week. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the testimony made before the Committee highlighted the benefits of the agreement. Salmonsen said that, while the deal has been positive overall, there are still some updates that need to be made. Salmonsen said it’s important to look at...
Cash rental rates rise significantly across Iowa
Stronger commodity prices and farmland values are leading to higher cash rents across most of the state. According to the most recent annual survey of cash rental rates for the state of Iowa?s farmland, it showed that rates have increased an average of 10.3% in 2022,...
Landus & Des Moines Water Works partner on Plots in the Park
Water quality has been a hot-button topic in the state for many years now. Upstream farmers are needing to accomplish certain tasks and have certain tools available to grow a successful crop, but urban folks downstream are worried about what is showing up in their...
Biden proposes Indo Pacific Economic Framework
During an Asia trip, President Biden proposed his Indo Pacific Economic Framework of the U.S. and 12 other nations, as a safeguard buffer to China?s growing economic influence in the region.The Framework is Biden?s answer to the Trans-Pacific Partnership that the U.S....
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-24-22)
Southern Brazil should see some good rains, which will help with that safrinha corn crop, but otherwise it?s still dry in Brazil in Argentina. Right now, they?re mostly just trying to get the rest of their crops out, so this is largely a good thing. Allendale...
Gas prices jump as diesel declines
The national gas price increased for the fifth straight week, while diesel declined slightly. GasBuddy reports the average national gas price increased 11 cents last week to $4.57 per gallon, while diesel fell 1.7 cents to an average of $5.53 per gallon. GasBuddy's...
Senator Ernst wants clarification on Biden?s 30×30 plan
If you are not familiar with the Biden Administration?s 30x30 plan, it calls for having 30% of American land in conservation by 2030. While it sounds noble, and protecting land is a good way to help our environment, there isn?t a whole lot of clarity of just where...
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More Ag News
DNA TRACEBACK fits with consumers? desire for transparency
Recently, Merck Animal Health announced the results of their first-ever consumer transparency study, which showed that a majority of consumers say that transparency in animal protein is extremely or very important. The study explored consumer desire for transparency...
Earning money by farming sustainably
Making upgrades to your operation to improve soil-health has already been a practical and sustainable way to increase your farm?s long term viability. However, it has also become a profitable choice for your farm or ranch.Clay Craighton is an Agoro Carbon? Alliance...
Lower corn use in WASDE raises concerns for ethanol
In this month?s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA lowered the use of corn in ethanol by 25 million bushels. Ernie Goss, director of Creighton University?s Economic Forecasting Group, said this is a bit of a concern since the...
PRRS is still a real threat to hog herds
We have been spending so much of our recent time worrying about how to prevent African Swine Fever and tracking its march around the globe. While occurrences have lessened, it is still a very real threat. However, we cannot ever put all our eggs into one basket when...
Growth in farmland values continues
Growth in farm real estate values remained strong but showed some signs of easing alongside higher interest rates. The Kansas City Federal Reserve says the average interest rates on farm loans increased from record lows at the beginning of last year to decade highs by...
