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Record ethanol exports are expanding on strong demand
U.S. ethanol exports climbed sharply in August, driven by record sales to Canada and the European Union, federal trade data show. Shipments reached 188.8 million gallons, a 15% increase from July and 24% higher than a year earlier. Canada remained the top buyer at 74.4 million gallons, while another 47.6 million gallons moved through the Netherlands for use across the EU. RFD-TV reports that together, those markets accounted for nearly two-thirds of all U.S. ethanol exports. The U.S. imported...
Increased borrowing for land purchases expected in 2024
It is often said that farmers are “asset-rich and cash poor.” Nowhere is this more obvious than when it comes to land. It is the most important asset that a farmer has. Without land, nothing else can be accomplished, whether it is grain or livestock production. It is...
Like humans, cattle perform best with low stress
Cattle are very similar to humans in some regards- they prefer having a set routine, and they are much less productive when they are stressed. And especially when it comes to cattle production, several simultaneous stressors can have an exponentially worse effect on...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-12-23)
Last week’s WASDE saw cuts to Brazil’s production and no changes to Argentina, and the nearby forecasts back up those decisions. Argentina is getting plenty of rain, but key areas of Brazil are still thirsty for moisture. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave...
Ag exports, imports down in 2023 as values declined
Last year inflation and higher values led to increases in both export and import numbers. USDA Economist Bart Kenner tells USDA Radio that 2023 has seen a different trend through the first ten months of the year. Kenner says ag imports are down by 2%, while exports...
Senator Grassley calls for reforms in a new Farm Bill
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Representative Chip Roy (R-TX) called on Senate and House leadership to address several important topics in writing a new farm bill. They’re asking leaders to address the impacts of inflation, waste in farm and nutrition programs, and...
Turning watermelons and their waste into plastic
Agriculture is known for its innovation. It is about finding new uses for the things we produce and finding ways to use more of our biproducts and cast-offs, so we can cut down on product waste. It is in that spirit that we are hearing about a breakthrough in which...
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More Ag News
Silver linings to rainy weather planting delays
As we finish up the 200th consecutive week of drought in Iowa, there’s actually some hope to be found, as the drought conditions are very much trending in the right direction. The recent storms have dumped off plentiful amounts of rainfall for the soils across the...
The latest tool to help growers battle SCN
If you are a soybean grower in the Midwest you are well aware of the threat of soybean cyst nematode or SCN. The yield robbing pest is responsible for $1.5 billion dollars in loss annually. To give growers another tool to help fight SCN, BASF has developed a new...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-2-24)
Despite an exciting day in the grain markets, export sales were very mild this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said corn and beans came within estimates. Corn sales are only slightly behind the 5-year average, but McBride said beans are far enough behind...
The 2024 Iowa’s best burger announced
From cheese curds to chip dust, burgers as big as dinner plates to multiple patty burgers, fresh veggies to cheeses, and sauces to spreads, this year’s Top 10 Iowa’s Best Burger restaurants had it all! However, only one can claim the title of Iowa’s Best Burger in...
Ag Committees release previews of Farm Bill
Yesterday, while the NAFB attended Washington Watch, House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson released a framework for the House Version of the Farm Bill, and Senate Ag Committee Chairwoman released the full Senate version. Both addressed the NAFB members in attendance...
