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Nutrien programs offer revenue paths for Iowa growers
Iowa farmers looking for ways to improve profitability may have another opportunity through sustainability programs that reward management decisions already happening in many corn and soybean systems. Sally Fliss with Nutrien says the company’s FarmSmart programs are built around helping growers get paid for practices tied to nitrogen efficiency, cover crops, no till, and other regenerative management tools. In corn, she says one program focuses on nitrogen management, helping growers reduce...
Rains are welcomed, but more is needed
We have definitely had a more active weather pattern in the past few days. In fact, yesterday was the first day since Thursday that Des Moines did not see any rainfall. Mind you, I am not complaining. We need the rain. I am just pointing out that things have changed...
ERS finds increasing concentration in ag and food sectors
The USDA?s Economic Research Service looked into market concentration and its impact on competition. It?s a subject that?s attracted growing public scrutiny. The ERS study says market concentration, which is measured by the share of industry sales held by the largest...
State Attorneys General urging lawmakers to pass AM for Every Vehicle Act
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley has joined with his counterparts in 16 other states to encourage Congress to pass legislation that would keep AM radios in new vehicles at no extra charge to consumers. Jackley said AM radio serves an important role in rural...
Big surprises in Quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage reports
It seems like the USDA didn?t want us to coast into this weekend. If you?ve looked at the current grain prices, then you?ll know that there were some big surprises in today?s Quarterly Grain Stocks and Acreage reports. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the...
I-29 Moo University continuing 2023 Dairy Webinar Series
The I-29 Moo University 2023 Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, July 20 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. CDT with a focus on milk margins.The webinar will feature Dr. Gonzalo Ferreira, associate professor in the School of Animal Sciences (former Department of Dairy...
Derecho hits parts of corn belt again
We had thunderstorm activity show up in parts of Iowa yesterday. We saw some wind damage in some parts of the state. By the time it was ready to leave our state, the word Derecho was being tossed around by forecasters in the eastern corn belt.Fellow farm broadcaster...
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AFBF announces new mental health resource for farming families
Mental health is not something that should be taken lightly. It's okay to not feel okay, but it's also important to make sure that you and your loved ones are doing what you can to develop and promote positive mental health. This past Sunday, the American Farm Bureau...
Budget disputes leading to farm bill frustrations
Congress has voted to extend temporary funding again to keep the government open, but in the process has likely produced more delays in writing a farm bill. That has led to frustration among members of Congress hoping to complete work on the farm bill early in 2024....
Fed’s January 2024 beige book on ag economy
The Federal Reserve Board released its January 2024 Beige Book, a summary of its commentary on the current economic conditions in each Federal Reserve District. In the sixth district around Atlanta, Low cattle supply led to higher cattle prices, but consumers are...
Will the grains continue to pull back on price levels?
We are almost one month into the new year, and we have been seeing a lot of red splotches on the grain markets. That’s not to say there has been a general slide, but it feels like there have been more low days than highs. The markets seem to keep retreating from the...
How to adjust your planter for no-till fields
When using no-till practices, the soil is obviously not as soft at the surface due to the residue from the previous crop. If you don’t adjust your planting practices to go along with your no-till practices, then your yields will take a hit. Roger Wilcox, one of the...
