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Protecting swine herds against porcine circovirus
One of the longest-standing diseases in the swine industry is porcine circovirus (PCV2), and as the swine industry has evolved, so has this disease. Recent research has shown that there are now strains and genotypes that are more virulent and, therefore, harder to treat. Dr. Jana Morgan, senior key account veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim, said there have been several prominent strains. Currently, the most common strain is PCV2d. Dr. Morgan said this strain is a bit tougher on infected...
Soy growers promoting pork exports and driving soybean demand
The United Soybean Board recently met in Baltimore to set priorities for the upcoming year. Jim Douglas, who sits on both the United Soybean Board and the U.S. Meat Export Federation executive committee, spoke at the USB meeting about the importance of their...
Pig farmers encouraged to be U.S. SHIP certified
The U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan, or U.S. SHIP, is a producer-driven national program serving as a unified industry playbook centered around biosecurity, traceability, and sampling and testing for animal health challenges. Al Wulfekuhle, board of director with...
Beef Checkoff returns over $13 for every $1 spent
An independent analysis of the Beef Checkoff thoroughly assessed the effectiveness and additional financial benefits produced by the program’s demand-driving activities. The study, conducted by Dr. Harry Kaiser of Cornell University, had objectives to measure,...
Why our markets are under pressure.
The markets are not having a good moment as we speak. The numbers in the red today are proof of that fact. We have seen numbers that suggest that farmers are holding on to large amounts of old crop that they haven’t sold. Usually, this time of year isn’t the greatest...
Several changes for this year’s state fair, but the heart remains
The Iowa State Fair is less than a month away, and the people who run it are excited (with a healthy dose of fear) for it to kick off. Iowa State Fair CEO Jeremy Parsons said several events have taken place on the fairgrounds recently, and that helps them to be...
Despite bullish July WASDE, market expectations should be tempered
It seems like we only get one or two friendly USDA reports to talk about every year, and the July WASDE report was one of them. However, it’s not as bullish as it might initially seem, so expectations for the long term need to be tempered. Allendale commodity broker...
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La Nina might not be to blame for chilly temperatures
The cold temperatures we’ve seen recently in Iowa are a sure sign of one thing- winter is quickly approaching. Eric Snodgrass, principal atmospheric scientist at Conduit, said this week has been and will continue to be full of chilly air. As we’ve talked about...
Watch out for holiday season fraud online
An unfortunate part of the holiday season is fraud. Sean Voskuhl, the Oklahoma State Director for the AARP, says 82 percent of U.S. consumers have experienced some type of fraud. Smartphone technology can also lead to other opportunities to be taken in by fraud. It...
USDA is increasing support of local foods for food banks
The holidays are now officially underway as we celebrate Thanksgiving today. During this time it is customary to have large gatherings of family and friends and feast upon the bounty of the county, as it were. But for some, just making it to their next meal is a...
AMVAC prepared to replace dicamba in 2025
Among the weeds that farmers can deal with, grasses can be tough to manage. New this year to AMVAC’s lineup is Zalo Herbicide, which specializes in taking care of those weeds. Wen Carter, marketing manager with AMVAC, said Zalo can enhance a glufosinate-based program....
Early harvest helping producers enjoy the fall season
With cooperative weather throughout much of the fall, harvest moved quickly and efficiently for most producers in 2024. It’s also allowing producers some much needed time for rest and relaxation at the end of one of the busiest times of the year for farmers. That is...
