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Naig urges Senate action on Farm Bill
The House has passed its version of the Farm Bill, but Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the focus now turns to the Senate, where the legislation could face a much more difficult path forward. Naig said House passage was an important step toward giving farmers more certainty during a period of tight margins and ongoing economic stress. He said the legislation still sends an important signal that Congress recognizes the financial challenges facing agriculture right now. Naig said the...
South American Weather and Crop Update (6-11-24)
It’s been yet another week of dry weather in South America. We’ll see later this week if the USDA or CONAB adjust their projections based on this. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions. There’s going to be some rain in...
Potential farm bill provisions outlined in Senate proposals
Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow and Ranking Member John Boozman have now both offered outlines of the farm bill for consideration. Joby Young, the executive vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, listed some of the key provisions in the...
BASF unveils Nemasphere, a new nematode resistance trait
On Monday, BASF unveiled the first and only biotechnology trait for Soybean Cyst Nematode, called Nemashphere. The new trait will provide growers with SCN resistance without limiting yield potential. SCN is the number one yield-robbing pest in soybeans in the United...
Get ready for the Iowa Corn 350 Powered by Ethanol
Iowa Corn is proud to be the entitlement partner of the first-ever NASCAR Cup Series race in the state, happening this weekend in Newton, Iowa. The Iowa Corn 350, Powered by Ethanol, will showcase the performance of ethanol at the fastest short-track on the planet,...
Mexico’s new President brings hope of improved ag trade
Mexico has just elected a new President. Claudia Sheinbaum is the President-Elect, and already there is a new hope that we will be able to improve some of the Ag trade relations we have with our southern neighbor. Mexico has been the focus of the corn industry in...
Legislation creating uncertainty for pork producers
When California’s Prop 12 legislation was enacted into law to begin 2024 it signaled a major change for the pork production industry with one state enacting a law that determined how pork was raised across the country. For pork products to be sold in California they...
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More Ag News
Low-crop-price relief still an active topic on Capitol Hill
Relief for low crop prices in a lame-duck session is still an active topic on Capitol Hill as prospects for a new farm bill this year dwindle with the close of the 118th Congress. American Farm Bureau’s Joe Gilson has been meeting with farm lawmakers and staffers,...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-31-24)
Once again, the weekly export sales have been great for both corn and soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said we almost had record-setting sales in both grains. Flash sales also continued to come it at a great pace. McBride said there are a few factors...
Western Region FFA VP brings rural and urban experience
There are four new regional vice presidents on this year’s National FFA Leadership team. One is Abigale Jacobsen, the West Region Vice President from Elk Grove, California. Jacobsen said her background, with plenty of rural and urban experience, gives her a unique...
Secretary Naig announces the creation of the Iowa organic advisory council
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the formation of the Iowa Organic Advisory Council within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and appointed seven Iowans to serve on it. A similar Organic Advisory Council existed previously...
Secretary Naig talks about the wrap up of Harvest
As Mother Nature forces many of us into a slowdown this week, we do have a lot to be thankful for. All in all, the conditions for harvest were ideal. Yes, we would like to see more rain, but when you need to be able to just keep plugging away, Mother Nature has...
