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Lawmakers propose additional aid for farmers
Leaders of the House Agriculture Committee say Congress may need to step in with at least $10 billion in additional aid for U.S. farmers, beyond the $12 billion Farmer Bridge Assistance Program recently announced by the Trump administration. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson, R-Pa., said the administration’s program, while helpful, does not go far enough to support all sectors of agriculture. The current package is largely aimed at row crops such as corn, soybeans and...
Mexico’s new President brings hope of improved ag trade
Mexico has just elected a new President. Claudia Sheinbaum is the President-Elect, and already there is a new hope that we will be able to improve some of the Ag trade relations we have with our southern neighbor. Mexico has been the focus of the corn industry in...
Legislation creating uncertainty for pork producers
When California’s Prop 12 legislation was enacted into law to begin 2024 it signaled a major change for the pork production industry with one state enacting a law that determined how pork was raised across the country. For pork products to be sold in California they...
Iowans encouraged to visit farmers markets
As summer kicks off, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa families to visit and support the more than 200 farmers markets located across the state. Farmers markets and farm stands provide consumers with easy access to local fruits, vegetables,...
ISU developed test to detect Japanese encephalitis virus
In 2013, when the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus made its way to the U.S., the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) had to design a high-capacity test to keep up with the outbreak. Now there’s another disease that’s made a global spread. Japanese...
April pork exports largest in almost three years
April exports of U.S. pork reached the highest volume and value since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). It was also a robust month for U.S. beef exports, which were the largest in 10 months and valued...
NPPC Working with our neighbors to protect our animal populations
Global trade is a complex thing. There are agreements in place, tariffs, trade barriers, and the list goes on and on. It’s not just saying, “Hey we would like to sell you some food.” And they respond, “Okay here’s our money.” There are so many rules, regulations, and...
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More Ag News
Rural North Carolina reeling after Hurricane Helene
We are no stranger to storm damage in the Midwest. Hail, tornados, and derechos can wreak havoc on our acres. But for everything we deal with, except for the 2020 derecho, it is nothing compared to the strength of a hurricane. The Southeastern part of the country is...
Quarterly Grain Stocks report didn’t make much of an impact
The grain markets were positioned for an impactful Quarterly Grain Stocks report, but what we got today was simply a neutral and slightly positive report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the corn numbers were friendly to the marketplace. McBride said the...
Partisan gridlock and the election could again delay farm, ag spending bills
Partisan gridlock and fallout from the November election could again force Congress to postpone key decisions for agriculture into 2025. It’s not just the farm bill, but USDA and other spending bills are also stuck in months of political gridlock in a narrowly divided...
Coastal port strike will have a big impact on meat and livestock industries
Longshoremen at ports along the East and Gulf Coasts are set to strike when their current labor contract expires at midnight tonight. U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror said a shutdown will have a significant economic impact...
Veterinarian shortage reaching crisis level
Veterinarian shortages are not new. Anyone who ever needed a vet in the middle of the night will tell you that. And any rural vet called in the middle of the night will agree. What is new is the realization that it is about to get worse. “If our veterinary workforce...
