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DOJ continuing investigation into alleged meatpacking antitrust violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, prompting renewed calls from ranching groups for greater competition and market transparency. Federal officials said investigators are examining whether consolidation among the nation’s largest meatpackers contributed to inflated beef prices for consumers and reduced prices paid to cattle producers. The four largest beef processors control roughly 85% of the fed...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-29-24)
Export sales continued the recent trends this week, with corn trading decently as soybeans continue to limp through the year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. McBride said the export sales could use a lot of support from...
U.S. is at a record trade deficit in 2024
The USDA published its third trade outlook for fiscal year 2024. The trade outlook is unfortunately still showing the United States with a record trade deficit. Betty Resnick, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, says 2024 will see lower agricultural...
Significant headwinds remain before U.S. beef herd expands
The U.S. cattle herd is at record low-levels. In fact the herd size has not been this small in many decades. Yet despite that fact, there are still significant headwinds that remain before the U.S. beef herd expands once again says Kevin Good, vice president of...
Iowa farmland sells for a near-record amount
Not one but two tracts of farmland in Sioux County, Iowa, sold for a near-record $29,600 per acre in a public auction this week. In November 2022, a sale of 73.19 acres in the same county sold for the current state record of $30,000 per acre. A spokesman for Zomer...
ISA delegates bring concerns to Commodity Classic meetings
Commodity Classic is so much more than the trade show that sees all kinds of technology unveiled to the farmers of the United States. More importantly, it is the time that delegates from across the United States come together to set the policy that their respective...
Red Sea shipping issues among conversation at Gulfood
More than 150,000 attendees from 190 countries were in Dubai, UAE, last week for Gulfood, the world’s largest annual food and beverage show. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom provided insight on what he describes as the busiest Gulfood...
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More Ag News
A new record setting Big Boar at the 2024 Iowa State Fair
The Big Boar competition is one of the fan favorite livestock events at the Iowa State Fair each year. This year’s winner, Finnegan, weighed in at a staggering 1,420 lbs on Monday. Finnegan weighed in as the heaviest of the seven hogs competing. The Big Boar from...
USB boosting soy demand and producer productivity
The United Soybean Board met in Baltimore, Maryland, for its July meeting. Brent Gatton, a Kentucky farmer and the Treasurer of the United Soybean Board, mentioned that the board has been focused on finalizing its investment portfolio for 2025. The aim is to ensure...
Large loss of Midwest farmland
The loss of agricultural land to different types of development is a long-standing topic at the national and state level. The University of Illinois’ Farmdoc Daily says development accounted for 55 percent of the 1.6 million acres lost in eight Midwestern states...
Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show is a great way to give back to Iowans
As the Iowa State Fair kicks off this morning in Des Moines, we look forward to all the ways we celebrate the agriculture industry in this state. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council embody the “Cattlemen Care” mantra. It’s a way that...
Making the best use of data from soil tests
Gathering data from soil tests is one of the best ways to address the needs of your crops. However, some of that data can be very complicated, so it needs to be run through the best methods and technology available in order to become actionable goals. Matt Fryer,...
