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Year-round E15 legislation is still in trouble
There are more warning signs that year-round E15 legislation is in trouble. Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin told USDA Secretary Rollins at a recent hearing that strong influence from interest groups is stalling year-round E15. According to Slotkin, there is an urgent need for Rollins to personally engage with senators to get year-round E15 to the president’s desk. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley showed concerns about Congress having to rely on temporary solutions that would not allow...
EPA working on outreach with Farmers
Frequently, we find ourselves scratching our heads about AG’s relationship with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More often than not, regulations and interpretations of their authority have ended up in the country's courtrooms. It’s been a strained...
A surprisingly active December WASDE report to end the calendar year
The December WASDE report, which is normally rather tame, was surprisingly active this time around. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the numbers were almost definitively bullish for this month’s report. When you consider the fantastic demand for U.S....
Extension professionals getting their boots dirty to support farmers
The National Pork Board’s Swine Extension and Outreach Professionals Group is made up of university professors and-or extension professionals at U.S. colleges and universities. Sarah Schieck-Boelke, swine extension educator at the University of Minnesota, says this...
Grassley sees improved farm bill chances in next Congress
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that a new Congress and unified party control should improve the chances of a new five-year farm bill in 2025. Grassley says that hardline GOP budget hawks in the House had an excuse this year not to give the Speaker...
USGC issues corn harvest quality report
The U.S. Grains Council’s 2024-2025 Corn Harvest Quality Report says the 2024 U.S. corn crop is projected to be the third largest on record with the highest 100-kernel weight in the history of the report. The 2024 crop also has lower broken corn and foreign material...
How long will beef prices ride this high?
Cattle prices have been riding a long high. It’s been amazing mainly because it’s during a time when the consuming public has been having their wallets stretched tighter. For some reason though, purchasers are still willing to pay higher prices on beef products. All...
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More Ag News
Overuse of Bt corn is harmful to overall effectiveness
Corn rootworm is the number one pest that corn growers have to manage every single year. For years, one of the top rootworm management tools has been Bt corn. However, due to widespread usage, the effectiveness of Bt corn has decreased over time. Something needs to be...
Brooke Rollins discusses potential trade disruption payments for farmers
During her visit to the state of Iowa on Monday, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed the possibility of payments to farmers impacted by trade disruptions and tariffs. On Tuesday, United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) confirmed that Rollins addressed the...
Grains would see cost increases with proposed USTR fees
The proposed actions by the US Trade Representative on foreign-built and foreign-flagged ships entering US ports have raised concerns among farmers. Fees up to $1.5 million on ships arriving at US ports, if the ships are Chinese, built, operated or flagged would hit...
Secretary Naig Presents 2025 Ag Leader Awards
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig this week recognized three organizations and one business that have made exceptional contributions to the continued success of Iowa agriculture. The honorees received awards during the 13th Annual Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner held on...
Secretary Rollins talks trade at Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins made her inaugural visit to Iowa on Monday, engaging with local farmers and agricultural leaders throughout the state. Her tour culminated in a keynote address at the Iowa Ag Leaders Dinner in Ankeny, where she emphasized the...
