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Breaking down the USDA December Cattle on Feed Report
While the overall number of cattle in the United States remains at extremely low levels, the trend of lower cattle inventories in feedlots is continuing. That is reflected in the December USDA Cattle on Feed Report says USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell. Placements in feedlots were down 11% from the same period a year ago. Marketings were down 12% year-over-year. McConnell further explains the findings from this month’s report. That was USDA livestock analyst Michael...
Ag banker testifies on farm economic conditions
The American Bankers Association provided testimony before the House Ag Committee and offered the association’s views on the financial conditions in farm country. Tony Hotchkiss, char of the Agriculture and Rural Bankers Committee, emphasized the critical role banks...
Senator Ernst says USDA needs to modernize its assistance programs
Earlier this week, Senator Joni Ernst joined with Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the rest of the Iowa Delegation in Washington in penning a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack about the need for the United States Department of Agriculture...
Weather has generally been friendly to corn and soybeans
As we enter the late July growing period the weather nationally is for the most part cooperating during a key part of the growing season. Right now, there are not any major weather concerns for the stretch run of July says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Nationally...
Over 500 organizations unite for new farm bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with 529 other organizations, urged lawmakers to prioritize programs that benefit all American families, emphasizing that they are too important to delay any further. Joe Gilson, the director of congressional relations for...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-25-24)
As we approach the end of the marketing year, the export sales have picked up a little bit. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of the latest numbers from the USDA. While it’s good to see sales like this, especially for soybeans, McBride said it...
Defense Department backs off lab-grown meat
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association confirmed that the effort to prevent ultra-processed, lab-grown protein in the diet of the American armed forces was successful. The announcement came following news that the U.S. Department of Defense is not pursuing...
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End of harvest season defined by plentiful rain
Rainy weather has defined the end of harvest season across the state. Northeast Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Lee Koenigsfeld said he’s been getting very consistent rains in his area. Koenigsfeld said beans are fully harvested in his neck of the woods, while corn is nearly...
2024 National FFA Secretary is fueled by his competitive spirit
Thirty-seven candidates vied for the honor of being elected to the 2024-2025 National FFA Leadership Team during the recent National FFA Convention. Luke Jennings of Ohio was elected as the National Secretary, and he said his passion for agriculture started at a very...
Previewing the November WASDE report
The USDA will publish the November WASDE report at 11:00am central time on Friday. The report will provide updated yield estimates and any changes to supply and demand forecasts both domestically and internationally. Jim McCormick, co-founder of AgMarket.net, says...
Farmer sentiment bounces back
October provided a surprising pre-election bounce in farmer sentiment as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 115, 27 points above the September index. The biggest driver of the sentiment improvement was an increase in producers’ confidence...
FARM Act could help in lieu of new Farm Bill
Farm economics are in trouble right now. Profit margins are tight, and there is no relief in sight. Part of that problem centers around the fact that we still don’t have a new Farm Bill for a second year. Policies built on ten-year-old data still govern a farm economy...
