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Grassley discusses hurdles to farm labor reform efforts
Farm labor reform remains one of the big topics in the agricultural sector but that doesn’t mean that changes to the system will come easily. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked on Tuesday if he will be involved in any efforts to reform the H-2A program or help provide farm labor relief in 2026. Grassley says that adjustments to the program will not be a simple fix. Grassley says that the farm labor issue is divided on strict partisan lines and that complicates getting...
Naig highlights export potential and challenges in Indonesia
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the second stop of the recent Iowa agricultural trade mission to Southeast Asia highlighted both the opportunities and the hurdles that remain in the Indonesian market. While Vietnam offered immediate expansion potential,...
AFBF study: farmers urgently need economic assistance
USDA’s most recent reports, including Commodity Costs and Returns, World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates, and Farm Sector Income & Finances reports, all confirm what U.S. agriculture has known for years. U.S. farm income is under immense pressure. A new...
Cattle supplies in the U.S. remain tight
Cattle supplies blamed for high beef prices remain tight, according to the latest USDA cattle reports. That’s USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell who says that all of the data on cattle shows just how low supplies are right now. He points to several factors that...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-27-25)
Planting progress in South America continues as the global market situation continues to shake up the U.S. grain marketplace. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest forecasts for both Brazil and Argentina. As pod fill approaches for the...
How will proposed H-2A changes impact farmers and farmworkers?
In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop to around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in...
Weekly exports of soybeans and corn decline
Data from the USDA said that inspections of soybeans and corn for offshore delivery declined week to week, while wheat assessments increased during the week ending on November 20. Soybean inspections were reported at almost 800,000 metric tons, down from the 1.21...
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Iowa Pork and Fareway serve up warm meals for Giving Tuesday
Today, Fareway Stores and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) teamed up with Central Iowa Shelter & Services (CISS) for the ninth annual Giving Tuesday breakfast. Hundreds of warm meals were prepared and served to individuals experiencing homelessness...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-2-25)
As planting season continues in South America, the dry weather is starting to raise some eyebrows. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather forecasts for Brazil and Argentina. McBride said planting progress is still close to the...
Fertilizer supply and price outlook for 2026
As farmers stare at the market screen and continue to see depressed prices for their commodities, it doesn’t help that fertilizer prices remain high. But what is the outlook for supplies and prices of fertilizers in 2026? Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer at...
Secretary Naig opens sign-up window for Iowa’s crop insurance discount program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the sign-up is now open for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s (IDALS) annual Crop Insurance Discount Program. The innovative program offers farmers a $5 per acre premium reduction for...
SHIC continues proactive approach to H5N1 threat
H5N1 may not be grabbing the headlines every day, but it remains a major concern for livestock producers. While the virus continues circulating in both avian and dairy populations, the Swine Health Information Center (SHIC) says there is some positive news for pork...
