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Farmervoicesmatter.org brings real producers into the spotlight
Farmers across the United States are finding themselves pulled deeper into a national conversation about how food is grown and what tools are used to protect the crops that feed America. That spotlight has only grown brighter in 2025 as questions surrounding crop protection, vaccinations, chemistry, and food safety have surged into the headlines. CropLife America CEO Alex Dunn says the attention has created challenges, but it has also created one of the most important opportunities agriculture...
NCBA encouraged by final “Product of USA” rule
USDA this week finalized its “Product of USA” rule. Kent Bacus, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association executive director of government affairs, says he is encouraged by the action. Now comes review of the final rule. Bacus says NCBA will be looking closely at...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-14-24)
After a bullish WASDE report last week, this week’s export sales report was extremely neutral. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both corn and soybeans came within expectations this week. There have been a lot of sales cancellations from China lately with...
USDA: Iowa leads all states in hog production
New data confirms Iowa is the top producer of hogs in the United States, with about $10.9 billion in cash receipts in 2022, according to USDA’s Economic Research Service. Cash receipts represent the value of sales of hogs by farmers to processors or final users....
National Ag Day to be celebrated next week
March 19th is National Ag Day. It’s a celebration of the hard work and dedication of American farmers to feed the world. Increasingly we are finding ourselves having to educate our consumers and defend against slanted misinformation. The day is a great way to also...
Nitrogen stabilization key for spring application
A very mild fall and winter allowed for plenty of early nitrogen work to be done, which has set up an interesting planting season. Andrew Luzum, nutrient maximizer specialist with Corteva Agriscience, gave an update on how the soil is faring heading into this spring....
Ag secretary’s CCC spending discretion limited in bill
The USDA spending bill that President Biden just signed for the rest of this fiscal year limits the Ag Secretary’s discretion in spending funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation, which is USDA’s financing institution. The Ag spending bill requires the Secretary to...
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Climatological answers for a sudden and rapid derecho
A seemingly random derecho- along with a few tornadoes- tore through the Midwest earlier this week, but was it even random at all? As always, there are answers to that in the observed climate patterns. Iowa’s State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said a heat dome...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-18-24)
The export sales numbers flipped the script this week, with a rather normal week in corn and some optimism in the soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest report from the USDA. The fairer market weather in the soybeans was...
Soybean prices facing downward pressure
USDA analysts are examining soybean planted acreage and other data in hopes of determining the size of the upcoming soybean crop. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski. That is less than a 1% increase over last year’s crop. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark...
Eight candidates pursue title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess
Eight young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete to win the title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des...
Little flies can cause big problems
Efficient production is the key to the success of any livestock operation. It goes well beyond just the meat and dairy products that we are producing; it also is a huge factor in our herd health. As they say, “One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.” Or is it...
