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USDA could regain food aid programs
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman wants two major U.S. foreign food aid programs returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Boozman says USDA is better equipped than the State Department to oversee programs built around American agriculture. Boozman hopes to include the change in the next farm bill. However, because the programs currently fall under the State Department, the proposal also requires support from congressional committees outside the Senate Agriculture...
Preparing to tackle weed pressure in 2025
Spring is the season of change, and that means new products from the companies farmers depend on year after year. Brady Spangenberg, marketing director of U.S. crop protection at BASF, said they have several products that they are excited to offer in 2025. Spangenberg...
February pork and beef exports below year-ago levels
February exports of U.S. pork were moderately lower than a year ago, despite continued success in Mexico and Central America, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). February beef exports were also below last year...
March delivered needed moisture to many corn and soybean growing areas
The month of March delivered beneficial rainfall to many United States corn and soybean growing areas in need of moisture. The rainfall has led to shrinking drought coverage in corn and bean growing regions in the latest drought monitor says USDA meteorologist Brad...
Ag groups call for swift trade resolution
U.S. agriculture groups are responding to the reciprocal tariffs announced by President Donald Trump by calling for a swift resolution to the trade conflict. “Approximately 15 percent of the U.S. corn crop is exported every year, and international markets are critical...
Pure Prairie Poultry producers still waiting as promises go unfulfilled
In late September 2024, Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc., based in Fairfax, Minnesota, filed for bankruptcy, leaving numerous poultry producers in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin without essential resources to feed their broiler chickens. The company's financial collapse...
Applications open for PFI’s 2025 N Rate Risk Protection Program
Farmers who are on the fence about reducing nitrogen applications might want to consider enrolling in the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s N Rate Risk Protection Program. The program is designed to help farmers reduce their input costs while also protecting the local...
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Iowa pork producers urged to share priorities
Maintaining the health of the U.S. hog herd has always required constant vigilance against animal disease threats. In recent years, much of the attention has centered on global concerns, such as African Swine Fever, with biosecurity efforts ramping up to prevent it...
The battle against New World Screwworm continues
Recently, U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S.-Mexico border would reopen for cattle shipments in phases after ports of entry were closed to limit the spread of New World Screwworm. This will help level out the balance between biosecurity and...
Drought coverage for crops and commodities mostly in decline
The month of June provided favorable weather conditions for crop growth for much of the Midwest including Iowa. Consistent, timely rainfall for most of Iowa with plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures has set Iowa up well for the heart of the growing season. USDA...
American Butter Institute urges FDA to take action against a new “dairy-free butter” product
A new product from Country Crock labeled as “dairy-free butter” has sparked growing concern within the dairy industry. Under the current Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), butter is defined as a product made “exclusively from milk or cream, or both.” This means that...
Alongside President Trump in Iowa, Secretary Rollins calls for celebration of America 250
President Donald J. Trump held a massive celebration on the eve of Independence Day at the Iowa State Fairgrounds where he launched the year-long Great American State Fair in celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The Great American State Fair will travel across the...
