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Naig says farmers use crop protection tools responsibly
As Iowa agriculture looks back on 2025 and ahead to 2026, another major topic that shaped conversation this year was the Make America Healthy Again report, often referred to as MAHA. While the report addressed many issues farmers care about, just like consumers do, it also raised questions about how food is produced and the tools farmers use to protect crops and care for animals. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the discussion around MAHA comes after a growing season that forced...
Iowa State Fair a showcase of education and advocation for Iowa Agriculture
Less than a week from now, Iowans will descend on Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair. It is a chance for our citizens to celebrate everything about Iowa. Among those things we celebrate is the agriculture industry. Whether it is the animals we show to the food we eat,...
Paris Olympics dealing with shortages of quality protein
In the most recent installment of their Beltway Beef Podcast, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association discussed some of the issues raised at the 2024 Paris Olympics. NCBA Executive Director of Government Affairs Kent Backus talked about how the Olympic organizers...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-1-24)
As we get closer to the end of the marketing year, we saw another neutral export sales report this week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. This week also saw a flash sale to China, but flash sales are still far behind where...
USDA says food inflation easing, while farm input costs remain high
The USDA says food inflation is easing, but farm input costs remain high. USDA economist Megan Sweitzer says that consumers may be getting a bit of a break from grocery price inflation which topped 11 percent in 2022. USDA’s grocery price forecast for next year looks...
Officers elected to lead Iowa Farm Bureau’s young farmer program
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmer Advisory Committee elected officer positions for 2024-25: Chair: Zac Preston, Warren County Vice Chair: Megan McAllister, Dubuque County Secretary: Mitchell Sievers, Buena Vista County Public Relations Co-Chairs: Alyssa...
Secretary Vilsack announces DFAP program
Yesterday, the Biden administration announced it has issued payments to eligible applicants under the Inflation Reduction Act’s Discrimination Financial Assistance Program (DFAP), which aims to provide financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners...
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More Ag News
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-12-24)
The rainy monsoon season is continuing to bring plenty of moisture to the fields in South America. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the conditions in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said planting progress is continuing at a good pace as well....
Ag exports dropped slightly in FY 2024
Fiscal year 2024 ended September 30th and the final fiscal numbers of the year are now available. Total exports for the year were $174.4 billion dollars, which was slightly better than expectations. However, USDA economist Bart Kenner says export values were still...
AFBF announces first Veteran Farmer of Excellence award
A new award recognizes veterans or service members for excellence in farming and positively impacting their communities. Retired Army Colonel Joe Ricker of Indiana is the first winner of the American Farm Bureau’s Veteran Farmer of Excellence Award. Ricker served 30...
What could tariffs mean for fertilizer in 2025?
We are a week removed from the Presidential election, and President-Elect Trump is already assembling his teams for the transfer of power in January. One of the things the American and Global economies will be paying close attention to is whether Trump follows through...
Cost down to raise 2025 corn crop
Looking ahead to the 2025 corn crop, one company says the cost to raise that crop is down. Farmers National Company says 2025 crop inputs are expected to see a slight reduction compared to 2024. While some farms may experience increased costs for specific reasons,...
