Top Stories
Interior touts grazing’s conservation benefits
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to hear from Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several issues affecting western ranchers and public lands. One topic that generated considerable discussion was the role livestock grazing can play in maintaining healthy rangelands and supporting wildlife habitat. Budd-Falen said recent research has helped change the conversation around grazing and conservation. She pointed to...
Small businesses seeing excellent growth across the country
Small businesses are the backbone of agriculture and local rural economies, as they create jobs and keep money local while adapting to the needs of consumers. Over the past several years, there’s been an even greater shift towards supporting small businesses over...
Ag chemical price transparency report helps farmers find savings
Farmers Business Network is celebrating its tenth year in 2024 and as a network of farmers it is always striving to help farmers work together. One of the ways in which FBN helps farmers each year is with its ag chemical price transparency report that allows farmers...
Rural America can be tough for allergy sufferers
Approximately 81 million Americans are diagnosed with seasonal allergies or hay fever, which affects 26 percent of adults and 19 percent of children. In many rural areas across America, there are three waves of pollen allergy triggers throughout the growing season....
Liver flukes becoming a bigger problem in cattle
Previously an issue only cattle producers in the wet regions of the Gulf and Pacific Coasts had to deal with, liver flukes have become a worsening problem for beef herds across the country. Dr. Jody Wade, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim,...
Farm land values up five percent
USDA says the value of all farm real estate increased five percent compared to last year. The average price is $4,170 per acre, and that includes buildings and other facilities. Cropland values increased to $5,570 per acre from last year. That’s a jump of $350 per...
National FFA membership reaches a significant milestone
The National FFA Organization has reached a record-breaking milestone of more than one million members. The current membership number is 1,027,273, up 8.6 percent from last year. National FFA, a nationally recognized school-based student leadership development...
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Charitable giving can be part of end-of-year tax plans
As we approach the end of 2024, now is a great time to prepare for tax season. There are plenty of things you can do to set yourself up in a better position before you need to file. Matt Roberts, chief planning officer with Syverson Strege, said that, if you plan on...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-17-24)
It’s smooth sailing for the crops in South America right now, as the weather has been fairly cooperative recently. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. Since the weather has been good, the crop...
Legislators want verification of used cooking oil imports
Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa joined bipartisan colleagues in demanding answers from the Environmental Protection Agency regarding used cooking oil imports. The lawmakers want information on the agency’s process for verifying the authenticity of the...
Last minute push underway for economic farm aid in stopgap spending bill
Republicans and ag groups in Washington D.C. are making a last-minute push to include economic farm aid in the stopgap spending bill that will avoid a government shutdown. The last gasp campaign for farm aid comes as farmers are faced with another one-year extension...
John Deere ready for planting in 2025
We have just recently finished the 2024 harvest, and it won’t be long before we say, “Break’s over. Back to work” for 2025. Many farms are already getting the ball rolling on equipment preparation for the next season. Winter gives you a great chance to give your...
