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Iowa producers urge action on farm bill & trade
In yesterday’s coverage, we noted the wide range of policy issues weighing on Iowa farmers. Today’s focus narrows to two of the most immediate priorities: passing a comprehensive farm bill and addressing ongoing trade challenges. While the Reconciliation Bill approved earlier this summer resolved some short-term concerns, the need for long-term certainty through a farm bill remains. At the same time, farmers continue to grapple with the realities of international trade, where initial support...
U.S. Drought Monitor remained static for this week for Iowa
This week?s U.S. Drought Monitor didn?t have any changes for Iowa, but that alone is still good news. Given how crazy and volatile the global situation is when it comes to crops, it was nice to see some consistency. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said this...
Cybersecurity for your farm operation
The more technology improves, the better we get at farming. The precision, the record-keeping, and the actual equipment have become more advanced and easier to use. However, with that increased productivity and ease of use comes a different kind of hazard,...
Congresswoman Hinson gives update on Ag bills
Members of the Iowa delegation in both chambers of Congress have been making efforts at advancing agricultural legislation aimed at fixing everyday issues that Iowa farmers are facing. Whether it is supply chain issues, biofuels, cattle market transparency, or other...
Food away from home spending dropped during pandemic
The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the temporary closures of restaurants in the United States, prompting a decline in Food Away from Home Spending. Spending decreased at each of the nine types of food-away-from-home outlets measured in the USDA Economic...
Iowa farmers have taken advantage of small planting window
We are a few days away from Monday's next Weekly Crop Progress Report. This is where we are going to see how much, if any, time was lost getting crops in the field. Unlike harvest, planting can go quickly in a few days. While mother nature did give us some cooler...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-19-22)
It was another fairly neutral report today for corn and soybean exports. Both commodities came within expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this fits the annual pattern for exports.McBride also talked about this week?s wheat export numbers. He...
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More Ag News
Momentum still building for pork exports
November export numbers from the USDA show pork was once again immensely positive for global demand for U.S. both in the volume and value. Courtney Knupp, vice president of international marketing for the National Pork Board, said after a slower start to 2022, they...
Pro athletes buying Iowa farmland
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and longtime NBA player Blake Griffin are among some of the big-name athletes who are investing in Iowa farmland. They?ve joined up with more than 20 other pro athletes from the NFL, NHL, the NBA, and Major League Baseball to...
Fertilizer prices will be slow to come down
It feels like farming is becoming like predicting the weather. We are trying to figure out weather patterns, marketing for prices that will be doing only God knows what in nine months, and trying to figure out what it is going to cost to grow that crop each year.With...
Iowa Biodiesel Board urges EPA to reconsider proposed RFS rule
Yesterday, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) held a public hearing on the proposed Renewable Fuel Standards rule for 2023, 2024, and 2025. While the ethanol numbers provided relief to the renewable fuels industry, the biodiesel volumes were disappointing news....
American Farm Bureau Federation sets 2023 priorities
The American Farm Bureau Federation wrapped up its annual convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, setting policy objectives the organization wants to see accomplished in 2023. Sam Kieffer, AFBF Vice President of Public Policy, says the next farm bill was one of the top...
