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Funding now available through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative
Funding is now available for research and development in specialty crop agriculture through a USDA support program. National Institute of Food and Agriculture Associate Director Rachel Melnick says there is more funding available compared to last year. Melnick provides more background information on the Specialty Crop Research Initiative. A two-step application process is now underway with a pre-application followed by a full proposal and scientific review process says Melnick. The application...
Farm economy at end of 2023 is not panic-worthy
The economy in general has been a challenge around the globe. Of course, that spreads down into many facets of the economy and agriculture is no different. As we head into this harvest season, we have a lot of question marks that will drive our markets and economic...
Soy exports and trade critical for international demand
Trade development plays a large role in increasing overseas demand for U.S. soy. The United Soybean Board recently provided an opportunity for a group of future checkoff farmer-leaders to visit Southeast Asia for an inside look at customers in the animal ag and soy...
Increased nozzle control helps to optimize sprayers
Retrofit technology can be a big benefit to today’s farmers. With technology changing and upgrading so rapidly, an aftermarket solution can allow a grower to upgrade technology without needing to buy an entirely new piece of equipment or implement. The SymphonyNozzle™...
Spreading the story of Iowa agriculture through county fairs
Telling the story of Iowa agriculture to attendees at Iowa’s County Fairs and Festivals who are not directly connected to agriculture. One guy that's been doing it for a while farms near Dysart as his family has done for over 170 years is Bob Hill, or as he’s more...
NCGA pushes back against EPA board
The National Corn Growers Association pushed back against commentary made by a science advisory board with the Environmental Protection Agency. The Board questioned the effectiveness of ethanol in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. “There is no shortage of studies on...
Suicide prevention is still a hot Ag topic
We just came off Farm Safety Week, and we talked about what we can do to keep ourselves and other safe around the farm. However, as we approach the end of September and Suicide Prevention Month, we need to continue that conversation of safety for ourselves and others....
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Soy checkoff finding uses for meal as biofuel demand increases
U.S. Soy farmers across 30 states recently gathered together in Louisville, Kentucky, for the soy checkoff’s board meeting to discuss investments that bring forward sustainable solutions to every life, every day. USB Treasurer Brent Gatton said one of the topics...
U.S. red meat exports increasing value of corn and soybeans
Beef and pork exports of $18.1 billion in 2023 had a significant impact on the corn and soybean industries, according to an independent study conducted by Dave Juday of The Juday Group and released by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). The study quantified the...
Iowa crop progress and condition report
March 25 - 31, 2024 DES MOINES, Iowa (April 1, 2024) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented today on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through...
No bird flu yet, but it could come with a variant
We have spent too much time having to deal with the High-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), more commonly known as bird flu. We all remember the devastation we saw in the upper Midwest in 2015. We remember the thousands upon thousands of animals affected and farms...
Renovations underway at Iowa State Fair’s historic sheep barn
Believe it or not, the livestock buildings at the Iowa State Fair have each been there for over 100 years. And if you drive across the fairgrounds right now, you’ll notice that one barn in particular- the sheep barn- is getting some modern renovations that will...
