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Boozman: farm bill markup only weeks away
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill returned from the Easter recess with growing optimism that a new five-year farm bill could soon advance. Agri-Pulse said John Boozman, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, signaled progress. The Arkansas Senator said he expects movement within weeks rather than months and anticipates a markup in the near future. The bill cleared the House Agriculture Committee in March with unified Republican support and backing from several Democrats. It now awaits...
Less downtime leads to getting more done
The new 5000 series planters from Kinze, available for the 2024 season, are designed to help farmers make changes and adjustments on the fly and minimize maintenance and downtime in the field. The quicker the seed discs are changed, or an adjustment is made, the...
Time to rebuild the U.S. cattle herd
With small inventory numbers, it’s time to try and revitalize the U.S. cattle herd. Cattlefax CEO Randy Blach said that, in the latest Cattle Inventory Report released by USDA, the July beef cow numbers are the smallest on record going back to around 1970.“Beef cow...
Iowa and other Midwest states pushing for year-round E15
Ethanol groups welcome efforts by Nebraska and Iowa prompting the Environmental Protection Agency to create regulations to allow for year-round sales of E15 in at least eight Midwest states. Earlier this year, the governors of Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wisconsin,...
EATS Act: Could an “unintended consequence” be a benefit to China? (Part 3)
We have been talking about the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act for several weeks now and we have discussed with Iowa lawmakers about the benefits it could have. But are there unintended consequences that could outweigh the benefits?Mike Schultz is VP...
Grassley optimistic farm bill will be completed by end of year
There is saber rattling taking place from both sides of the aisle as the farm bill reaches the stretch run and questions arise as to if it will be completed by the end of the year. Some Republicans want reform for SNAP benefits with new work requirements. Democrats...
South American Weather and Crop Update (8-8-23)
The forecast is still very open for harvest to make good progress in Brazil and Argentina. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided an update on the latest South American weather conditions.McBride said Brazil’s harvest progress is slightly behind, but they’re...
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More Ag News
Iowa Farmers asking for commonsense, climate-smart Farm Bill
As the Farm Bill is already six months late and languishing as an extension based on five to ten-year-old data, farmers are concerned with ensuring it gets done on time to avoid another year of kicking the can down the road. There is already a high probability that...
Senators: livestock consolidation a “bad deal” for consumers, ranchers
Senators Chuck Grassley and Jon Tester encourage their Senate colleagues to oppose recent efforts that they say will weaken the Packers and Stockyards Act. The upcoming Fiscal year 2024 Agriculture Appropriations bill includes provisions Grassley and Tester say would...
National FFA Week celebrates past, present, and future members
We’re currently in the middle of National FFA Week, and members across the state of Iowa have been celebrating through all sorts of activities. In fact, the Iowa FFA leadership team has been travelling everywhere to visit as many of the local chapters as possible....
EPA considers slowing shift to electric vehicles
The Environmental Protection Agency is considering slowing tailpipe emission limits, which would give automakers more time to increase electric vehicle sales. The New York Times, followed by the Washington Post, reported the change, which could be viewed by some as a...
Start protecting your crops early in the growing season
Several yield factors, like minimizing inputs and maximizing weed and disease control, are at the top of every farmer’s mind as the 2024 planting season approaches. Getting a head start with early-season crop protection can help farmers reduce the stress their crops,...
