Top Stories
SHIC continues proactive approach to H5N1 threat
H5N1 may not be grabbing the headlines every day, but it remains a major concern for livestock producers. While the virus continues circulating in both avian and dairy populations, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) says there is some positive news for pork producers. There have been no confirmed cases in commercial hog operations. However, SHIC and industry partners continue taking proactive steps to better understand the disease, the risk it poses, and how producers can stay ahead of...
PFI inviting farmers to participate in on-farm trials
Making healthy decisions for your soil can improve soil function in the long-term, but many farmers don’t have the data from those fields to make the most informed decisions possible. Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI) is inviting farmers who are invested in soil health...
South American Weather and Crop Update (3-5-24)
Scattered rain is keeping concerns about dryness at bay for now in South America. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns. However, McBride said those concerns about dryness will ramp up in the longer term. McBride said...
Livestock groups respond to packers and stockyards rule
The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced the finalization of Inclusive Competition and Market Integrity Under the Packers and Stockyards Act. The final rule will be effective 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. The final rule, Inclusive...
National Corn Growers set goals at Classic meeting
Last week, we had the chance to talk with Iowa Corn Growers President Jolene Riessen about the policy goals that they were bringing to Saturday’s meeting of the National Corn Growers Association at Commodity Classic in Houston. Now that the meetings are over and the...
Vilsack talks summer E15 and Prop 12 during Senate hearing
Secretary Tom Vilsack told Senate Ag members last week during a Senate hearing that he’s confident the EPA will approve an E15 waiver this summer ahead of the agency’s permanent green light for year-round sales starting next year. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst told Vilsack...
Finding new uses and sustainable demand for U.S. corn
At last week’s Commodity Classic farm show in Houston Texas the stage was set for the announcement of the "The Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge sponsored by US Corn Farmers." The challenge comes from Radicle Growth, a company that invests in early stage ag and food...
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House Appropriations Committee to markup crucial labor bill
The U.S. House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee is preparing to review a significant funding bill that may benefit farmers and ranchers. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), notes that this...
Previewing Friday’s USDA reports
The July WASDE report will be published on Friday by the USDA and will feature data based on the new supply and demand numbers. The report is released monthly and provides annual forecasts for supply and use of U.S. and world wheat, coarse grains, and oilseeds....
IDALS encouraging cover crop adoption with increased cost share
As more and more farmers adopt cover crop practices, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is offering an increased incentive for both first-time and returning cover crop users through the Water Quality Initiative. Now, first-time users are eligible...
Top scientists defend biofuels in court
Eight of the nation’s top agricultural, biomass, and greenhouse gas lifecycle scientists filed a brief on July 3rd challenging the faulty assumptions underpinning a number of attacks on the Renewable Fuel Standard. The brief was filed in the District Court of Appeals...
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...
