Top Stories
AI and precision technology gain momentum on U.S. dairy farms
Artificial intelligence and precision technology are playing a growing role on U.S. dairy farms as producers seek greater efficiency and ways to manage ongoing labor shortages. Dairy cooperatives and technology firms say AI-driven tools can track milk production, feeding behavior and animal health indicators in real time. Early detection of illness allows farmers to treat cows sooner, helping reduce losses and improve herd performance. Industry analysts say adoption is accelerating as tight...
Shrinking labor force poised to threaten U.S. economic growth
Declining labor force participation, lower birth rates and a collapse in net migration are combining to squeeze the U.S. labor supply. The looming labor shortage could begin to weigh on businesses and strain economic growth as soon as later this year, according to a...
Iowa Eyes Below-Average Missouri River Runoff
Despite a wetter year in parts of the region, the runoff in the Missouri River Basin remains below average. Years of drought have left a lasting impact, and the system has yet to recover fully. Iowa depends on the Missouri River to the west and the Mississippi River...
Markets decided to sell off in reaction to July WASDE
There were slight expectations that the USDA would adjust corn yields in this month’s WASDE report, but that did not end up happening. And while the report as a whole was still fundamentally friendly to the marketplace, the commodity prices did not like missing out on...
One Big Beautiful Bill contains both wins and losses for Iowa producers
The reconciliation bill, referred to as the One Big, Beautiful Bill, was signed into law. The reaction across the ag industry was mixed, with many farmers celebrating the tax provisions while also lamenting the cuts to SNAP benefits. Mike Stranz, Vice President of...
Iowa’s wet July fueling foliar disease concerns
The state of Iowa continues to receive persistent rainfall which is leading to near ideal conditions for fungal diseases to flourish. John Long is a retail sales agronomist with Brevant seeds and he covers the southwest and west central portions of Iowa. He says that...
Food spending increases from 2023-2024
USDA says per capita total U.S. food spending increased 3.2 percent from 2023 to 2024, slightly outpacing the 2.3 percent increase in food prices during the same period. That showed a stronger demand for food despite higher prices. However, national trends in sales...
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Modern Ag Alliance advocates for farmers from coast to coast
Even though the Modern Ag Alliance is only just over one year old, its impact in that short amount of time has been far-reaching. At this point, the coalition now contains over 100 ag organizations. At this year’s Farm Progress Show, Elizabeth Burns-Thompson,...
Consumers shrug off high beef prices
When retail prices for any product reach record-high levels, the demand usually plummets quickly. U.S. beef appears to be the exception to the basic rule of economics. Retail grocery store prices for beef skyrocketed and show no signs of descending. But demand hasn’t...
Wyffels Hybrids providing independent seed solutions for Iowa’s growers
The spring and summer seasons have delivered significant rainfall and warm weather to the state of Iowa and set the table for disease pressure. Mitch Heisler is product and agronomy manager at Wyffels Hybrids and he says the corn in Iowa has had everything thrown at...
Soybean leaders warn of growing tariff consequences
China has effectively shut U.S. soybeans out of its market, instead relying on Brazil to meet its massive demand. The real blow has come from retaliatory tariffs, which have priced American soybeans out and stripped farmers of access to their top export customer. To...
Cattle industry monitoring human screwworm case
A human case of New World screwworm was reported by the Centers for Disease Control after being discovered earlier this month. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the cattle industry will monitor the situation, but this isn’t a risk...
