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Tracking the price movement in the cattle complex this week
It was a week of ups and downs in the ag marketplace for cattle this week. Two headline stories sent prices down midweek before a recovery on Friday to end the week. Joe Camp of Commstock Investments tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network about one of the news stories that put pressure on the cattle complex this week. Another bearish headline originated out of Colorado says Camp. Following the losses earlier in the week, cattle recovered some on Friday with upward price movement. February...
Quick start to planting season unlikely to impact May WASDE
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the nation’s farmers are off to a fast start this planting season, which could impact the supply-side factors in their May reports. However, Iowa State University Agricultural Economist Chad Hart said...
Homegrown horticulture joins Choose Iowa program
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) continues to champion local agriculture by supporting the Choose Iowa program, a state-branded initiative connecting consumers with Iowa-grown, raised, and made products. Launched in 2022, Choose Iowa has...
South American Weather and Crop Update (4-29-25)
Drier conditions are returning to South America, which is typical at this time of year. However, Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said there is some light rain in the forecast for Brazil. Argentina is more definitively dry, which is good for harvest and...
NCBA provides update on status of New World screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was notified late last fall about the detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. Since then, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has worked closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)...
NRCS celebrates 90 years of service
The 90th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service was recognized Friday in ceremonies at USDA headquarters in Washington DC. NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt says the NRCS has played a large role in conservation efforts nationwide, but that work was also...
Off-farm income keeping some operations afloat
For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running. In 2023, an AFBF Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself,...
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Central Iowa farmer experimenting with cover crops
As we learn more about the benefits of cover crops, we’ve seen increased adoption of them across the state. One farm in Boone is even applying those cover crops to a different product: pumpkins. Jeremy Gustafson, a member of Practical Farmers of Iowa, gave a tour of...
Iowa 4th of July cookouts still at record-high costs
As Americans all across the country are gearing up to celebrate Independence Day, families planning a cookout celebration should plan to spend about the same as they did last year. Samantha Ayoub, an associate economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said...
Storms, wind, and hail testing the resilience of northwest Iowa crops
Early in the growing season, as spring transitions to summer, the weather can be unpredictable and difficult to deal with for growers. Eric Bartels is a northwest Iowa Beck’s Hybrids agronomist, and he says that June has delivered no shortage of weather challenges to...
Applications now open for the 2026 ASA – Corteva Agriscience Young Leader Program
If you are passionate about farming, ready to connect with agricultural industry leaders and grow your leadership skills, the Young Leader Program is for you! Program sponsors American Soybean Association and Corteva are seeking farmers to apply for the 2026 ASA...
Expanding corn markets a top NCGA goal
U.S. corn growers face mounting challenges in marketing their crop abroad, from persistent ag trade deficits to being undercut by Brazilian corn during their peak harvest season. Shifting global demand has made it harder for American producers to stay competitive....
