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Boozman renews commitment to more farm aid
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman renewed his commitment to more farm aid during a committee hearing this week. Despite acknowledging USDA’s earlier $12 billion in farm aid as a big push for the industry, Boozman pointed out the need for more to be done to stop the bleeding. According to Boozman, the rise of new challenges for producers stresses the need to provide them with adequate support. Accompanied by John Hoeven, top Ag appropriator Boozman met with House Ag Chair GT Thompson on $15 billion...
Forty percent of farmers work off the farm
The 2022 Census of Agriculture showed about 40 percent of American farmers worked 200 or more days off the farm in 2022. The majority, 93 percent, of the 3,078 U.S. counties for which data was reported had at least 30 percent of producers working 200 or more days off...
South American Weather and Crop Update (10-29-24)
It was looking like the weather was going to start to dry out in South America, but there’s still plenty of rain as of right now. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the shift to the monsoon season in South America has gone almost exactly the way they wanted...
New National FFA President brings a passion for policy
The National FFA Organization elected its new leadership team for the next year during the recent national convention. Delegates elected Thaddeus Bergscheider of Franklin, Illinois, as the new President. Bergscheider (pictured left in the above photo) said he has deep...
NCBA responds to preliminary dietary guidelines recommendations
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is pushing back against the U.S. panel that makes recommendations to USDA and HHS on dietary guidelines. NCBA says that Americans should not be encouraged to eat less beef and instead turn to vegetables for a protein source....
U.S. cattle on feed down slightly
Despite the cattle inventory plummeting to the lowest level in 73 years, the number of cattle on feed remains surprisingly strong. Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.6 million on...
Secretary Naig talking with international visitors at Borlaug Dialogue event
With the World Food Prize Borlaug Dialogues happening this week in Des Moines, we are seeing many international representatives in town—people who have a large say in trade relations with Iowa in particular and the U.S. in general. It is a great time for us to promote...
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Using carbon markets to increase profit margins
As input prices make margins tighten, farmers are looking for other ways to increase their profits. One option is to enroll in a carbon market program. Lisa Kubik, inside sales manager with Agoro Carbon, said they have a variety of programs farmers can take advantage...
Animal disease response training exercise helps stakeholders prepare
USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is among various animal health groups involved in tabletop training exercises to improve response to a potential disease incident or outbreak. USDA Chief Veterinarian Rosemary Sifford says that training exercises can...
AFBF appreciates release on USDA funding freeze
The White House released a freeze on $20 million in Inflation Reduction Act money for contracts signed with farmers under the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation Stewardship Program, and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. American...
Four farmers elected to Practical Farmers of Iowa’s board of directors
Alec Amundson, Wade Dooley, Brice Hundling and Natasha Wilson are the newest additions to Practical Farmers of Iowa’s board of directors. Elected by PFI members in January, their support ensures farmer priorities continue to guide and ground the organization’s work....
Looking ahead at trade and agriculture policies to avoid complications
Farmers could face growing uncertainty as trade policies under the Trump administration reshape U.S. agriculture unpredictably. While some measures may be intended to protect American farmers, they could also trigger retaliatory tariffs and market disruptions that...
