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Costs going higher in 2027
USDA's latest Commodity Cost and Returns report shows production expenses are expected to climb for every major crop in 2026 as global energy and fertilizer market disruptions continue to ripple through agriculture. The report follows months of volatility tied to conflict involving Iran and concerns about shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Higher fertilizer costs are adding pressure to already tight farm margins. The findings mirror a recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey in which...
Secretary Naig announces the expansion of cattle and conservation working lands project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is expanding its popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project into Adams County, the eighth county to join the project. The southwest Iowa...
Purina committed to raising resilient calves
Getting our livestock off to the best start possible is the goal of every livestock producer. The better the start they have, the better the chance to have to produce their best. This is especially true when it comes to the cattle markets. Prices are at historic...
Old farm bill doesn’t give farmers necessary risk management tools
As Congress returns to D.C., it is now expected that they will pass another extension of the 2018 farm bill. This is a far cry from what the ag industry was wanting- and hoping for- earlier this year. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, during a...
How to pick the right Christmas tree
If you haven't done so already, time is running out to pick that perfect Christmas tree. Barbara H. Smith is a horticulture specialist with Clemson University Extension, and she said the tradition of decorating the modern tree goes back almost 200 years. Smith gave...
Next Senate Majority Leader vows to upend slow Senate pace
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune vows to kick-start legislative action on farm and other legislation in 2025 when the GOP takes over leadership of the new Congress. Thune says that the Senate has not done enough during this Congress, beginning with the farm...
Soybean meal exports set a new record
U.S. soy remains America’s number one agricultural export, adding $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy in marketing year 2023-2024. Total soy export volumes were down from the prior year at 60.8 million metric tons, partly due to fewer carry-in stocks and the expansion...
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Still plenty of questions about climate-smart agriculture
There’s been a lot of discussion in recent years about the opportunities within climate-smart agriculture. It’s a far cry from how the ag industry was even 30 years ago. Jon Doggett, former CEO of the National Corn Growers Association, said that, unfortunately, we’ve...
Cattle producers want to keep Section 199A
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is renewing its push for the Section 199A tax deduction. Kelsea Kemp, NCBA associate director of government affairs, said this is a very important tool for producers, and it’s one of their top priorities for the...
How Prospective Plantings estimates compare to trade expectations
On Monday USDA published the much-anticipated Prospective Plantings and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer explains where the USDA’s Prospective Plantings forecasts fall within the range of trade expectations. Meyer says that the...
Poultry markets strong but face headwinds
Improved economic conditions in many regions, together with ongoing high prices for other proteins, make poultry an attractive option for worldwide consumers. Rabobank says global consumption growth is predicted to reach 2.5 to three percent this year. This marks the...
Rollins pushes biofuel support, energy independence at Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner
The fight over biofuels in Washington continues, with policymakers debating renewable fuel standards and support for ethanol and biodiesel. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins addressed the issue Monday night at the Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, Iowa, emphasizing...
