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Prop 12 battle continues as farm bill stalls again
Yesterday, the Senate Farm Bill failed to pass out of the Senate Ag Committee after Democrats rejected the Republican proposal in a narrow 10-11 vote. Now, the Farm Bill- and all of its attached legislation- does not have a clear path forward. However, groups like the National Pork Producers Council are still adamant that the eventual farm bill must contain legislation to address California Proposition 12. Iowa Pork Producers Association President Dean Frazer, who runs a farrow-to-finish...
USMCA public hearings begin
Public hearings began in Washington, D.C., as part of the mandatory USMCA review process. Over 1,500 public comment-briefs have been submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Briefs were submitted by manufacturing, industrial, and retail sectors...
Global forecast: beef production to fall further in 2025
Beef production in major exporting and consuming regions is projected to decline in 2025, with global output likely to remain under pressure heading into 2026, analysts at Rabobank reported this week. The report indicates the largest volume reductions are expected in...
Pork prices holding above the cost of production
Pork supplies are similar to a year ago, even with hogs being fed to heavier weights before being sent to market. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says demand has been steady for several quarters, and prices continue to remain above the cost of production....
Purina: Cattle condition is key to breeding results
Breeding season may still feel a little ways off, but the work that determines next year’s calf crop is already underway. For beef producers, supporting cows through the stretch between calving and cycling is one of the most important management windows of the year....
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-4-25)
We’re finally seeing the export numbers for the end of October. This timeframe is when President Trump and President Xi agreed on the trade framework for U.S. soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the report confirms that China did make purchases at...
Year-round E15 sales would provide tremendous boost to corn demand
United States farmers are incredibly good at what they do. Not only do they farm sustainably and efficiently but they are finding ways to increase productivity seemingly every growing season. With that increased productivity comes a growing need for market...
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Applications open for 2026 Iowa Leopold Conservation Award
Given in honor of renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold, the Iowa Leopold Conservation Award recognizes landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their own farmland. Leopold Conservation Awards, presented by the Sand County Foundation and...
Ground pork gaining traction as a great option for daily meals
As the new year gets underway, there’s growing excitement around adding more protein to the plate. Momentum is building with the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” consumer brand campaign. José de Jesús, assistant vice president of consumer marketing with the National Pork...
Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a...
Rural Energy Council is a “disgrace”
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was very unhappy after it was announced that a legislative fix for year-round E15 was dropped from the January government funding bill. It was further incensed that Congress would instead form a “rural...
Iowa ag efforts meet setbacks as policy debates continue
Iowa agriculture continues to face pressure from growing production and slower demand growth, a dynamic that has weighed on commodity prices and raised broader questions about market access for farmers. Those issues were discussed earlier this week during a...
