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Naig says E15 backers finally proved their case
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the recent House vote approving nationwide year-round E15 sales confirmed what biofuels supporters have argued for years: once lawmakers finally allowed the issue to reach the floor, it had enough bipartisan backing to pass. Naig said the House vote was a major breakthrough after years of stalled negotiations and failed attempts to attach the language to larger legislative packages. Naig credited Iowa’s congressional delegation for continuing to push...
Hot weather impacting livestock gains
The hot weather we’ve been experiencing lately has been dangerous for anything and anyone outside, especially when it comes to livestock. Animals want to avoid eating when it’s hot out, as digestion creates even more heat in their bodies. Tyler Schau of AgMarket.Net...
What to expect in the USDA acreage and quarterly grain stocks reports
On Friday the USDA will publish its Acreage and quarterly Grain Stocks reports at 11am. Will the reports be in line with industry expectations, or will there be any surprises included in the data on Friday? Jim McCormick, co-founder of AgMarket.Net, says that the...
Traceability is key to managing foreign animal diseases
Biosecurity has never been more important for the nation’s pork farms, especially in the face of diseases like PRRS and African Swine Fever. Dr. Brent Pepin, director of swine health at the National Pork Board, said the industry is working together to improve...
State disasters declared due to flooding
The governors of Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota have all issued emergency declarations as heavy rains that began late last week flooded several rivers in the Upper Midwest. A large number of counties in southeastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and...
Summer cookout prices are at an all-time high
It’s a common complaint we are hearing during this time of economic hardship; grocery prices are way too high. It wasn’t that long ago when $100 bought you a fully loaded cart, now it buys you three or four bags full if you are lucky. This has negatively affected...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-25-24)
The weather in South America still has not changed much, but at the very least it has been predictable at this point. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the current and upcoming conditions in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said that weather...
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Biologicals provide most benefit for producers with a supplemental approach
The biological market has expanded very quickly in recent years and biological companies are striving to demonstrate their value to producers as part of a supplemental crop plan. Brent Lackey is the head of biologicals product marketing with Syngenta and he says that...
Recent rains soaking deep into the soil profile
After one of the driest starts in recorded history for October, the end of the month brought plenty of rain. At this point, the weather is now continuing with a wetter pattern. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, gave an update on the latest conditions. Since...
Adding value to the U.S. pork industry through innovation
Research-backed innovation uses technology, consumer trends and cuts to add value to the product. Kevin Sheehan, director of processor engagement at the National Pork Board, said innovation has been very beneficial to the packer side of the industry. Sheehan said...
Tractor manufacturers slow production as demand declines
As farmers struggle with low crop prices, relatively high interest rates and increased input costs, fewer are making big-ticket purchases like tractors, combines and farm implements, resulting in a backlog of inventory across the globe. Machinery manufacturer AGCO has...
What would a major animal disease response look like?
We talk at length about the diseases that affect the livestock industry, whether it is H5N1, PRRS, or BRD. One of the things we have been blessed to not discuss, though, is African Swine Fever (ASF) or any other foreign animal disease (FAD) of that caliber. We know...
