Top Stories
USMEF looking to further develop strong demand for U.S. protein
Even though we are waiting for the final export numbers for 2025 to be tallied, we already know that demand for U.S. beef, pork, and lamb remained strong last year despite several strong headwinds, including tariffs, a strong dollar, and tight beef supplies. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said a lot of that demand growth is coming from partners in key free trade agreements. Looking ahead into this year, the USMEF is expecting strong demand for protein to continue,...
USDA funding expanded opportunities for overseas markets
The USDA is allocating $300 million to 66 organizations under the new Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP). Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said the agency launched RAPP in October 2023 to expand marketing opportunities overseas for American agricultural...
E15 ready for the summer driving season
This weekend is the unofficial kickoff of summer. Many schools are out, pools are opening, grills are heating up, and vacations are being planned. That is why with all the busy activities you have planned; it is important to save money wherever you can. That is where...
Previously dry soils are now too wet in some areas
While we have received a lot of rain recently, it still has not been enough to rid the state of drought yet. In fact, large portions of the state are still in drought conditions. Mark Licht, Iowa State University professor of agronomy and ISU Extension and Outreach...
Increased tariffs on Chinese imports could cause retaliation
The Biden administration is continuing current tariffs and adding new ones. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says that the increases are primarily tech focused. Salmonsen says there are a couple of reasons...
NPPC, Farm Bureau lead coalition to urge congressional fix to Prop 12
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to garner support from 900+ agricultural stakeholders supporting the federal fix to California Prop. 12 to be included in the 2024 Farm Bill. Laying out robust arguments...
Taxpayer groups speak out against Farm Bill subsidy costs
As the House and Senate Ag Committees have released their versions of the Farm Bill, we are seeing reactions from all over the place. Mostly we focus on the programs that are included in the titles from an Ag perspective. We talk about the Commodity Credit...
Video
More Ag News
Iowans testify before Senate committee on disaster relief programs
Today, the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, which is chaired by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), hosted a hearing to discuss the challenges facing rural small businesses and the federal support they have received, specifically through the U.S....
Research reaffirms safety of properly prepared pork
USDA released research confirming a negligible risk of trichinella from their study of 3.2 million samples taken from Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus) farms. Heather Fowler, director of producer and public safety for the National Pork Board, said this research...
Grassley speaks on possible Stabenow farm aid add to CR
There are rumblings on Capitol Hill that Senate Ag Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow is considering attaching temporary relief for farmers, in place of a new farm bill, to a must-pass stop-gap spending bill. Farm broadcasters asked United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)...
Trade policy shifts impact on U.S. agriculture
Agricultural economists from North Dakota State University have examined the proposed trade policies of the two presidential candidates and one proposal being floated in Congress. The NDSU experts laid out the potential losses to soybean, corn, wheat, and beef exports...
John Deere’s See and Spray hits milestone
It was only a few years ago when we got to see John Deere’s See and Spray Technology on display at the facility near Bondurant. The technology has changed the game in how farmers can attack weeds and cuts down on the input costs for the products needed to protect our...
