Top Stories
White mold – the invisible soybean killer
Planting season will be over before we know it, and, unfortunately, that means plant diseases need to be a top priority for farmers to keep track of. In 2024 alone, white mold cost soybean farmers an estimated $281.1 million in yield losses, and the management window for this disease is shorter than many farmers realize. Ken Deibert, technical services representative with BASF, said white mold starts at flowering. Since the disease starts off invisibly, Deibert said farmers can’t wait until...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-31-24)
Corn markets continued their trend of decent sales numbers, while soybeans continued their much less favorable trend. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest export sales. At this time of year, McBride said the export numbers generally...
Is the Senate any closer to a compromise on the farm bill?
After the release of the House version of the farm bill two weeks ago, eyes in Washington D.C. turned towards the Senate chamber and whether the two sides of the aisle are any closer to coming to agreement on the Senate's version of the farm bill. United States...
U.S. ag trade deficit widens
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is projected to increase again to $32 billion in fiscal year 2024, a $1.5 billion increase from the February projection. Those numbers come from the USDA Economic Research Service’s quarterly May 2024 Outlook for U.S. Agricultural...
Livestock groups pushing for more traceability options
As we face threats from foreign animal diseases worldwide, livestock groups are working hard to improve the traceability of where animals have been moving around the country. This information helps detect disease origins and helps us to contain problem areas quickly....
USDA report shows export values falling, import values rising
The United States Department of Agriculture recently released its new forecast for agricultural trade for the year 2024. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer says the forecast for exports shows a downward trend compared to last year. The report calls for import numbers to...
Land O’Lakes donates 40,000 pounds of mac & cheese to Food Bank of Iowa
Yesterday, Land O’Lakes donated over 40,000 pounds of LAND O LAKES® Macaroni & Cheese to the Food Bank of Iowa in order to help combat food insecurity across the state. The donation was made through the Land O’Lakes First Run Program and will provide over 33,500...
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More Ag News
NCBA is making lower taxes a top priority
Since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is expiring at the end of next year, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association is making a major push on tax policy. In the latest episode of the Beltway Beef Podcast, NCBA President Mark Eisele said the fight for lower taxes is very...
Keep pigs and people safe during show season
Biosecurity is an important key to success in the pork industry, especially during show season when pigs from different states mingle. John Heins, manager of producer relations for the National Pork Board, said show pig producers need to have several important factors...
Grassley dismisses farm bill as rider on disaster aid measure
As Congress works on disaster aid for the hurricane-ravaged Southeast, some are proposing attaching a farm bill to the relief package. Longtime Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he won’t go for it. For months Iowa’s Chuck Grassley has stated that he expects another...
Farmers invited on tour exploring the impact of EU policies on agriculture
Iowa Farm Bureau members are invited to apply for an International Market Study Tour from June 7-15, 2025, visiting Brussels and the Netherlands. The tour will explore agricultural practices and climate-policy impacts in Europe, with opportunities to engage directly...
Renewable Fuels Association elects new officers for a new chapter
We are at a pivotal stage for the biofuels industry in this country. We are on the cusp of being a part of the future in environmentally responsible aviation fuel options but seem to be no closer than we were a year ago. The industry has been vocal about its ability...
