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November pork and beef export below year-ago levels
Exports of U.S. pork remained relatively strong in November but were below the large total reported in November 2024, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Lamb exports were a bright spot, posting the largest volume since July and highest value since May. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said November pork export value per head slaughtered was outstanding at $70.26, even though that value is slightly below a year ago. The average for...
NCBA on track to meet sustainability goals
At the 2024 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show held in Orlando, Florida, sustainability is a huge focus. NCBA Senior Director of Sustainability Samantha Werth said there has been a continued focus on defining what...
Be cautious of damage to alfalfa this winter
This has been a winter we will likely remember for a long time. It’s been pretty comfortable, unseasonably warm, and we got a large amount of snow and bitter cold quickly. Then as quickly as it arrived, it was gone. We have also noted that our ground hasn’t seen the...
Tax relief package is now heading to the Senate
A tax relief package passed the House of Representatives this week and heads to the Senate for consideration. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act restores tax provisions left out of the 2017 tax reform efforts. American Farm Bureau Federation...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-1-24)
This week’s export sales were very mixed. Corn saw another good week, but soybean numbers were well below expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. McBride said the flash sale of soybeans to Mexico was nice, but we...
U.S. cattle herd smallest since 1951
Before the release of Wednesday’s semi-annual cattle inventory report, various trade estimates called for a reduction in overall herd size. The USDA’s report confirmed those estimates with a herd size of 87.2 million head of cattle as of January 1st, 2024. That is a...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for specialty crop block grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 1, 2024. The grant program, which is designed to support...
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Landus gearing up for a big Farm Progress Show in August
Before we know it, the Farm Progress Show will be upon us once again. The annual event is returning to Boone, Iowa, this year, so many Iowa-based companies are excited to have easy access to producers from around the globe. Ryan Grant, senior vice president of...
Opportunities abound for AI in agriculture
The potential for artificial intelligence in agriculture is vast. While AI is still not fully integrated into the agriculture industry, data collecting for AI ag applications has been taking place for years. Austin O’Brien, is an Associate Professor of Computer...
U.S. Export Sales Report (6-27-24)
Ahead of tomorrow’s Quarterly Grain Stocks and Planted Acres Report, today’s export sales were very ho-hum. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said corn continued its trend of decent export sales. Soybeans, on the other hand, are still very much behind where they...
NPPC VP talks current swine industry issues
Earlier this month at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, our own Quentin Slater was able to talk with Vice President of the National Pork Producers Council Rob Brenneman to discuss current issues in the pork industry, how the industry continues to better itself, and...
Iowa approves carbon pipeline project
The Iowa Utilities Board granted approval for a proposed carbon pipeline project to begin in the state. That clears the way for Summit Carbon to build that segment of the pipeline that covers 688 miles in 29 Iowa counties. The board hasn’t yet granted a permit that...
