Top Stories
Leveraging genetic diversity to combat annual crop issues
Farmers have to deal with unique combinations of diseases, weather events, and pests each crop season. Fortunately, there are things they can do to mitigate the risks of these annual problems. LG Seeds Agronomist Dave Hoy said genetic diversity is one of the main tools farmers can leverage. Each farm has different needs when it comes to seed genetics, and Hoy said that the agronomy team at LG Seeds is more than willing to help farmers find out what hybrids they need. Hoy also highlighted some...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-14-23)
This week’s export sales were neutral on the marketplace, but the sales were actually still very good for this time of year in the corn and wheat markets. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export numbers from the USDA. McBride said...
Study shows that U.S. farming is still a family business
Despite cries against so-called “factory farming,” the Farms and Ranches at a Glance Report shows U.S. farming is still a family business. Betty Resnick, an American Farm Bureau Federation economist, said the report is a project of USDA’s Economic Research Service and...
There are more casualties without a Farm Bill
We have spent a lot of time these past few weeks lamenting the fact that a new Farm Bill was not passed, nor are we even close to having a new one. Work started almost two years ago, and thanks to political gridlock, nothing was accomplished. Farmers rely on...
Cattlemen’s Beef Board telling real stories of real producers
The cattle industry is often targeted by activists who seek to ruin it, which is why advocacy is so incredibly important. If we don’t tell our story, someone else will tell their version of it. The Cattlemen’s Beef Board is one of the organizations that seeks to...
Proper range and pasture management makes a difference
It is easy to see how range and pasture management could get put on the back burner of a cattle operation. After all, as long as Mother Nature is not in a bad mood, your pasture ground is going to fill out with grasses for forage on its own. However, that only tells a...
Applications open for $2,500 renewable Iowa Farm Bureau scholarship
High school students who plan to pursue an agricultural major or minor after their 2024 graduation are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s $2,500 scholarship. Awarded to 27 students, this scholarship is renewable for four years, up to $10,000. “The...
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More Ag News
ISU Extension providing farmers with valuable climate data
All sectors of the Iowa ag industry have been reeling from drought issues for 200 weeks now, and while we are trending in the right direction, the drought won’t be ending overnight. With such intense rainfall deficits in many parts of the state, farmers need guidance...
NPB and Ducks Unlimited advancing sustainability in ag
Sustainability in the pork industry is central to pork producers. It’s key to ensuring producers can freely operate their farms and businesses now and in the future. Sam Morine, National Pork Board Director of Grant Administration, says the Advancing U.S. Pork...
Using data to drive change in fertilizer use
Pivot Bio’s N-OVATOR™ program rewards farmers for replacing synthetic fertilizer via Pivot Bio’s microbial nitrogen, delivering an environmental benefit to all. Lori Reese is the director of commercial sustainability programs with Pivot Bio and says that by using data...
Free counseling available for Iowa farmers
Affordability and accessibility are the top barriers for farmers seeking mental health services, per an American Farm Bureau Federation survey. During May Mental Health Awareness Month, the Iowa Farm Bureau wants to remind farmers support is readily available—and at...
Secretary Vilsack comments on USDA response to H5N1
During my trip to Washington this week, it was driven home that the bird flu is no longer the bird flu. It isn’t even Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or HPAI, anymore. The Federal government and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are now calling it...
