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Western drought intensifies despite Midwest rainfall
Recent rainfall across Iowa and much of the eastern Midwest has helped improve soil moisture conditions heading into the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says many areas farther west continue battling intensifying drought conditions. Speaking during a discussion in Washington, D.C., Rippey said drought still covers nearly two-thirds of the United States, with some of the worst conditions stretching across the Plains, the South, and parts of the western U.S. Rippey, who...
Concerns for Iowa farmers remain as Canada negotiations resume
Canada’s Department of Finance announced over the weekend that it would rescind a digital services tax at the center of a trade dispute between the U.S. and Canada, allowing negotiations between the countries to continue. However, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)...
Quiet Quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage report surprises analysts
There was a little bit of buzz heading into the Quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage reports today, with many analysts predicting a slight increase to corn acres in particular. However, the reports did not deliver on that, and the market prices were mostly unbothered....
Managing nitrogen loss following recent Iowa rainfall
Recent rainfall in the state of Iowa has led to nitrogen loss concerns for many growers. After periods of intense or excessive rain, naturally farmers begin to have concerns about nitrogen loss in their fields. Mark Christianson is a product manager with Helena and he...
GDM announces agreement to acquire AgReliant Genetics
GDM, a global plant genetics company committed to empowering farmers and advancing global agriculture, today announced an agreement to acquire 100% of the shares in AgReliant Genetics, a leading North American provider of corn and soybean seeds. The strategic...
Iowa corn disease pressure builds early
Tar Spot has been detected early in Iowa cornfields, raising concerns for farmers as they prepare to implement their crop protection plans. The fungal disease, which can spread rapidly under the right conditions, is showing up weeks ahead of typical timelines in some...
“Big Beautiful Bill” would exacerbate food insecurity in Iowa
While legislative battles rage on in Washington D.C., food banks across the country are struggling to get enough food to feed those who are in need. Not only are USDA donations halted, but the “Big Beautiful Bill” threatens to cut SNAP benefits if it is passed, which...
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Secure borders and legal workforce can coexist
When it comes to immigration and labor, agriculture keeps circling back to the same problem: something must give. Farmers and businesses cannot sit idly by while Washington debates; they need guidance and answers now. Last week, we wrote about the broader frustration...
National Weather Service issues La Nina watch
The National Weather Service recently enacted a La Nina watch which means that the climatic system could develop in the fall or winter months. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that despite the watch being put in place, a La Nina weather pattern forming is not a...
Thinking smarter- and shorter- with new seed genetics
We’ll be learning a lot from this year’s corn crop, and much of that will be evident when harvest comes around. While the crops look good right now, there’s looming disease pressure that could cause some issues before the crop makes it to the bin. Clayton Robinson,...
U.S. bison industry gains access to key overseas markets
The European Commission has proposed legislation that would allow some duty-free access for U.S. bison meat into the European Union. With this legislation, the current 20% tariff on U.S. bison would be eliminated under an annual tariff rate quota (TRQ) for 3,000 mt of...
Concerns over Mississippi River levels as harvest approaches
There's continued evidence that we may once again experience some low water conditions on the lower Mississippi River this fall. The prospects for restricted barge transportation this fall may come as a surprise for many given the healthy amounts of rainfall...
