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Spring volatility gives way to El Niño watch
Spring weather across Iowa and much of the Midwest has been delivering the kind of rapid temperature swings farmers know all too well. Warm afternoons that hint at an early planting push have quickly been followed by colder air, gusty winds, and even lingering shots of winter weather. DTN agricultural meteorologist John Baranick says that kind of back and forth is actually typical for the seasonal transition from winter into spring. Baranick says March and April are often the most volatile...
NPPC is dedicated to improving export climate for pork industry.
When we have been talking about the pork industry lately, we have focused on things like the low market prices, and the Prop 12 issue. However, there is much more to what is going on in the industry. Obviously, when we are dealing with a global economy that is being...
Despite talk of weather pattern changes, the soil is getting dryer
Several areas in the Upper Midwest and the Corn Belt are continuing to struggle with drought. Dennis Todey, director of the USDA?s Midwest Climate Hub in Iowa, said some areas haven?t gotten away from excessively dry weather in several years.Todey said the expanding...
Combatting summer heat stress in dairy cattle
Temperatures can get very hot in rural America from April through September, and the recent weather here in Iowa has been a prime example of that. Combine those high temps with a high humidity index, and dairy cows will get heat stressed. Dr. Glenn Holub is the...
Connecting with consumers online to increase demand for beef
Marketing and promotion of the beef product has changed dramatically over the years.Social media has become a central focus of connecting with consumers.Greg Hanes, Cattlemen?s Beef Board CEO, says social media now plays a large role in marketing beef as it gives...
Midwest drought has Mississippi River level concerns coming back
Remember last summer and early fall when we were so worried about the levels of the Mississippi river? Even though those levels eventually came back up, we are still not out of the woods. Drought has gripped much of the Midwest, and the main tributaries of the Old Man...
Ernst, Stabenow, introduce FARMLAND act
Senators Joni Ernst and Debbie Stabenow this week introduced The Foreign Agricultural Restrictions to Maintain Local Agriculture and National Defense, or FARMLAND Act. The legislation would overhaul the current system that has allowed China?s malign influence to...
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Promotions showcase U.S. pork loin to consumers in Mexico
With one month of data still to be reported, U.S. pork exports to Mexico have already set an annual record for 2023. January-November exports to Mexico totaled more than 995,000 metric tons, up 13% year-over-year, while value was 15% higher at $2.12 billion. While...
Top ag legal issues to monitor in 2024
2023 was a year of significant developments and changes on the legal front of agriculture. Harrison Pittman, director of the Ag Law Center, says 2024 could be more of the same with issues such as the endangered species act taking center stage. The Waters of the U.S....
Farmland market is “resilient”
The Farmers National Company says the farmland market seems to be moving into the new year maintaining the value increases it’s built during the last three years. That stability is in place despite increasing pressure from declining commodity markets, rising interest...
Governor Reynolds sees a bright future in biofuels for Iowa
Last Thursday, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association held its annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit in Altoona. There was a great turnout to hear the latest in the policy, technology, and progress of biofuels. One of the highlight addresses was from Iowa Governor Kim...
Lack of cuts in January WASDE disappoints grain markets
With the cuts the USDA made in last month’s WASDE, analysts were expecting a few more in the January report. However, the grain markets were very disappointed when the report came out and showed very few changes. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride broke down the...
