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Questions remain with U.S.-China trade deal
It’s been an interesting time in the soybean market, especially when it comes to trade with China. Initially, it was great to hear that the U.S. and China agreed to a trade framework that included China making U.S. soybean purchases. Jim McCormick, chief operating officer at AgMarket.Net, said he was pleased to hear about this, but he had some questions concerning the agreement. McCormick said the U.S. and China don’t technically have a signed agreement yet, so this framework could still fall...
Mixed potential for 2024 U.S. red meat exports
The forecast is mixed for U.S. red meat export potential in 2024. Erin Borror, vice president of economic analysis with the U.S. Meat Export Federation, said the numbers look better for U.S. pork. “On the pork side, it's been really strong growth or even a rebound in...
Farmers for Soil Health initiative receives big boost from USDA
About a year ago we heard about a partnership between the soy, corn, and pork industries called the Farmers for Soil Health initiative. Producers were going to work together to increase the number of acres using cover crops and increase the adoption of several...
Using grazing practices to develop wildlife habitat
Grazing management is an underutilized skill among cattle producers, but it’s also a skill that can provide some great ROI. Grazing has always been vital to the ecosystem of the Midwest, and with just a little extra management, farmers can reap the benefits of...
AFBF details 2024 priorities ahead of annual convention
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) has a myriad of policy priorities for the new year. AFBF President Zippy Duvall said the top priority is getting a Farm Bill passed in 2024. “Well, it's critical that Congress pass a bipartisan farm bill early this year,”...
Trait technology provides solutions during the growing season
Depending on what a grower is looking for they can choose a corn trait that is more resistant to particular herbicides or provides protection against certain types of insects says Erica Strittmatter, a corn traits marketing lead for Bayer. Strittmatter says that...
U.S. Farmer sentiment stable as inflation expectations subside
Farmer sentiment changed very little in December compared to the preceding month. The Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded a reading of 114, just one point lower than a month earlier. Both sub-indices of the barometer, the Index of Current...
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More Ag News
Despite tighter margins, there are still opportunities for profits
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago recently released its May agricultural market newsletter, and it included data on agricultural conditions in Iowa. Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers said the report highlighted some persisting struggles that Iowa farmers are...
Grassley comments on House version of farm bill
Last week House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson released the House version of the farm bill for discussion ahead of the markup session on May 23rd. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that he is still working through the text of the bill but is pleased...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-21-24)
Completely opposite to what we’re experiencing right now, there’s some dryness across much of Brazil right now. This is starting to raise some concerns for the safrinha crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns. The...
Iowa crop progress and condition report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and...
NCBA concerned over abuse of Endangered Species Act
When I was a broadcaster in Minnesota, one of the hot topics that we dealt with was the dispute over the gray wolf. For a long time, the gray wolf had been on a protected list under the Endangered Species Act. Its numbers had dwindled for several reasons. While the...
