Top Stories
Encouraging Iowa consumers to buy more food locally
Every year, Iowans spend approximately $12.6 billion on food. Unfortunately, much of that money does not stay within the state. In order to bring some of this spending back to Iowa, the Iowa Food System Coalition has launched the Iowa Local Food Challenge. By inviting Iowa consumers to spend more of their dollars on Iowa-grown food, the challenge aims to shift food spending back into Iowa communities, which would support farmers, strengthen local markets, and build back a more resilient food...
Spending deal raises hopes of averting government shutdown
A deal for overall spending in 2024 has improved the outlook of avoiding the first of two government shutdown deadlines, with individual spending for the USDA and other key departments still to be completed. The deal largely gives Democrats the domestic and defense...
Iowa native Taylor leading trade mission to India
USDA’s Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor will lead an agribusiness trade mission to India from April 22-25. USDA is now accepting applications from U.S. exporters who wish to join the trade delegation. “There is no larger untapped...
Some family farms included in Corporate Transparency Act
Many family farms are not structured the same as they used to be. It used to just be enough to say you owned the land, the assets, and the livestock. However, we have come to learn that to relieve the tax burden and also to keep the family farm safe as a separate...
Making the best crop insurance decisions for 2024
Even though the new year just started, it’s already an ideal time for farmers to think about what they need from crop insurance this year. Doug Burns, regional vice president of insurance with Farm Credit Services of America, said most farmers would benefit from...
Another layer of protection for grain already in the bin
High yield numbers are the goal of every farmer who wants to give themselves the best chance to turn a profit and chalk up another successful growing season. However, just because harvest is over, and grain is in the bins doesn’t mean the work of protecting that grain...
Mexico extends duty exemptions for beef, pork, and poultry imports
The Government of Mexico recently issued a decree extending zero-duty treatment of certain food imports – including pork, beef, and poultry – from all eligible suppliers through the end of 2024. Erin Borror, U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) vice president of...
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More Ag News
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...
