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Findings from April Cattle on Feed Report
The Cattle on Feed Reports from USDA provide a look at the inventory of cattle in feedlots throughout the United States. The April Cattle on Feed Report shows another year over year decrease according to USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell. McConnell points out that total inventory was slightly down compared to last year. He also details some of the trends from the April report. McConnell states that the trend of feeding cattle to heavier finishing weights is continuing. The next USDA...
Low river levels a problem again in 2023
You know it sometimes feels like a broken record. It’s dry, exports are low, and the Mississippi River is running low on water levels again. This means as we enter what is traditionally the time of the year that we see our grain exports pick up, we are becoming a...
Solix Sprayer robot sees huge success in pilot year
Solinftec, a global leader in artificial intelligence solutions and sustainable agriculture practices, showcased the latest technology in the Solix AG Robotics Platform at this year’s Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois. Specifically, the Sprayer robot was on...
After August recess, still no farm bill text
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that there is still no farm bill text, despite time running short on getting a new farm bill done. Grassley says that the August recess was supposed to be a time in which lawmakers could make progress on the farm bill,...
IDALS Announces Another Conservation Record
DES MOINES, Iowa (Sept. 6, 2023) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, working with Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other partners, once again shattered a record for...
Yield numbers starting to roll in
Going out in the field for some early harvest results in some of the driest areas of the state. Jason Russell farms near the Linn-Jones County line, where his rain gauge has measured just under four inches of precipitation this growing season. With harvest results so...
NCBA says WOTUS changes are “a start”
Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency released its revised rules for the Water of the United States (WOTUS). This was in response to the Biden Administration’s reintroduction of the Obama-era rule which drew the ire of farmers and Ag groups for being far too...
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Expiration of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would hurt family farms
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is a comprehensive tax cut package enacted in 2017. Dustin Sherer, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau, says it’s important legislation for farmers and ranchers. A new Economic Research Service report shows that if the...
Effects of the Tyson plant closure on the hog industry
It was announced this week that Tyson plans to shut down another food production facility—this time, a pork production plant in Perry, Iowa. That plant has nearly 1,300 employees and kills about 8,000 head a day. Karl Setzer with Consus Ag Consulting said that, while...
What would return of La Niña weather pattern mean for growers?
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center this week announced that it foresees a transition from El Niño to ENSO-neutral by April-June 2024 (83% chance), with the odds of La Niña developing by June-August 2024 (62% chance). Typically, the La Niña pattern...
Secretary Naig encourages Iowans to celebrate Iowa ag week
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged all Iowans to celebrate Iowa Ag Week from Sunday, March 17 through Saturday, March 23. The weeklong statewide celebration, which includes National Ag Day on March 19, will highlight the immense importance of...
Some lawmakers believe a Farm Bill is still possible
The Farm Bill question is a hot topic as we have discussed in the past few months. There is a lot of worry and concern that the clock is ticking and both sides of the political spectrum have dug their feet in so hard, that politics is going to affect the biggest piece...
