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Brazil passes U.S. as top beef producer
Market estimates show that Brazil surpassed the U.S. as the world’s number one beef producer in 2025. Reuters said that happened after Brazil beat output forecasts by hundreds of thousands of tons, easing a global supply squeeze and helping limit a surge in meat prices. Reuters said Brazil was already the biggest beef exporter, with shipments totaling almost $17 billion in 2025. “Beef production numbers are not due till February, but analysts have recently raised their estimates,” Reuters...
Rooftop farms becoming more popular in urban areas
More and more, consumers are looking to produce their own food or have a better understanding of where the food comes from. However, land is hard to come by inside of urban sprawl. There are some community gardens, but they are limited to how many people can...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-9-24)
Even though we took a break from covering South America over the 4th of July holiday week, the weather is still largely the same. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather in Brazil and Argentina. That dry weather is continuing to...
NPB researching future consumers of pork
The National Pork Board recently completed an extensive research project focused on consumer segmentation. David Newman, the senior vice president of market growth at NPB, discussed the objectives behind the initiative, highlighting its aim to better understand the...
Grassley voices concerns over EPA’s biofuel blending volumes delay
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is continuing to voice frustrations with the Environmental Protection Agency’s delay in announcing biofuel blending volumes for 2026-2028. Grassley says the delay in the announcement is negatively affecting the biofuel...
Secretary Naig encourages farmers to utilize the hay and straw directory
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowans to take advantage of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s free, searchable online directory for hay and straw. This resource aims to facilitate connections between Iowa farmers looking...
Milk production down from May 23-May 24
The dairy industry has had more than its fair share of challenges in the past months and years. We have discussed low prices, trade issues, access to foreign markets, H5N1 disease, and more. The American dairy industry also feels the effects of contracted farms and...
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South American Weather and Crop Update (10-29-24)
It was looking like the weather was going to start to dry out in South America, but there’s still plenty of rain as of right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the shift to the monsoon season in South America has gone almost exactly the way they wanted...
New National FFA President brings a passion for policy
The National FFA Organization elected its new leadership team for the next year during the recent national convention. Delegates elected Thaddeus Bergscheider of Franklin, Illinois, as the new President. Bergscheider (pictured left in the above photo) said he has deep...
NCBA responds to preliminary dietary guidelines recommendations
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is pushing back against the U.S. panel that makes recommendations to USDA and HHS on dietary guidelines. NCBA says that Americans should not be encouraged to eat less beef and instead turn to vegetables for a protein source....
U.S. cattle on feed down slightly
Despite the cattle inventory plummeting to the lowest level in 73 years, the number of cattle on feed remains surprisingly strong. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on...
Secretary Naig talking with international visitors at Borlaug Dialogue event
With the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues happening this week in Des Moines, we are seeing many international representatives in town—people who have a large say in trade relations with Iowa in particular and the U.S. in general. It is a great time for us to promote...
