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New tariff push raises farm trade concerns
New efforts by the Trump administration to impose fresh import tariffs are drawing concern across U.S. agriculture, where producers fear another round of retaliatory trade measures could weaken export demand for key commodities. The administration is pursuing alternative tariff authorities after court setbacks challenged earlier trade actions, according to Reuters. Farm groups and commodity traders are closely watching developments because previous tariff disputes led to reduced overseas...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-19-23)
Spotty rain has entered the forecast in South America. While it would possibly be enough rain for our growing season, both Argentina and Brazil need significantly more rain than that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather...
China cutting back on soybean imports
The December World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates showed that China will cut back on soybean imports. Mac Marshall, vice president of market intelligence for the United Soybean Board, said the slowdown isn’t a surprise. “Margins for hog producers have been tough...
Grassley details priorities for 2024 legislation
As 2023 begins to wind down, members of Congress are already looking to 2024 and what will be a busy year for agriculture in government. Ag focused members of Congress have signaled their hopes of crafting a new five-year farm bill and are trying to create a blueprint...
Applications open for PFI programs that help with crop rotations
Midwestern farmers thinking of diversifying their rotations with small grain crops like cereal rye, oats, barley, triticale and wheat can now apply for financial assistance through Practical Farmers of Iowa’s extended rotation cost-share programs. The programs – which...
American Coalition for Ethanol continues to push EPA on year-round E15
We cover many stories throughout the year, and obviously, some take up more of our time than others. Some stories develop for a year or more. Sometimes, those longer stories are unavoidable, like the Farm Bill. Those are the stories you follow for almost two years...
The importance of trade missions for U.S. red meat exports
Newly elected U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Chair Randy Spronk is looking forward to continuing his career of advocating for the U.S. meat industry. A past president of the National Pork Producers Council and the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, Spronk has...
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More Ag News
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...
Iowans encouraged to visit farmers markets
As summer kicks off, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa families to visit and support the more than 200 farmers markets located across the state. Farmers markets and farm stands provide consumers with easy access to local fruits, vegetables,...
ISU developed test to detect Japanese encephalitis virus
In 2013, when the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus made its way to the U.S., the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) had to design a high-capacity test to keep up with the outbreak. Now there’s another disease that’s made a global spread. Japanese...
April pork exports largest in almost three years
April exports of U.S. pork reached the highest volume and value since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). It was also a robust month for U.S. beef exports, which were the largest in 10 months and valued...
NPPC Working with our neighbors to protect our animal populations
Global trade is a complex thing. There are agreements in place, tariffs, trade barriers, and the list goes on and on. It’s not just saying, “Hey we would like to sell you some food.” And they respond, “Okay here’s our money.” There are so many rules, regulations, and...
