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Helping Iowa’s farmers reduce stress during the busy planting season
Planting season is very similar to harvest in that it is one of the busiest and potentially most stressful times of year for growers. Long days and a lack of sleep can make things difficult for farmers. Add in the uncertain weather and equipment breakdowns and stress relief techniques are needed to assist farmers during the growing season. David Brown of Iowa State University Extension says that all farmers need to be striving to get adequate sleep during the planting season. Even while...
Economists shedding light on pork industry market conditions
Pork producers are experiencing major headwinds with the cost of production not necessarily balancing market prices. National Pork Board staff and producer leaders are listening and empathizing with producers, while doing their best to help economists shed light ? and...
Rural communities need the support of the Farm Bill too
We have been really focused on the 2023 Farm Bill for the past few months. There are concerns about getting it passed, especially with the debt ceiling debates currently going on. We focus a lot on safety nets and nutrition, which are two of the most important titles...
Ernst, Baldwin work to support mental health of agriculture communities
WASHINGTON ? During Mental Health Awareness Month, U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), members of the Senate Agriculture Committee, are building off of their bipartisan efforts to provide our nation?s agricultural community with critical...
Hinson countering Prop 12 with EATS Act
Last week, the Supreme Court rejected a challenge from the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) that sought to invalidate California Proposition 12, which would provide extra space requirements for breeding sows. As...
White House farm bill meeting leaves unanswered questions
House and Senate Ag Committee leaders were invited to the White House last week for farm bill talks with President Biden. It was an unusual move for meetings on the bill that is not even being written yet.A key Ag Committee Senator says President Biden may be using...
USDA projects record corn crop and increased soybean production
USDA?s May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates projects increased corn and soybean production this year. In fact, Bernt Nelson, American Farm Bureau Federation economist, said USDA projects a record corn crop for 2023.?USDA estimated corn planted will be...
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Strong month for U.S. pork exports driven by Mexican demand
It was another banner month for U.S. Pork exports according to the latest data for the month of October from the USDA. Kelli Wicks, manager of international market development for the National Pork Board, says that the Mexican market continues to be a big success...
USB infrastructure investments benefit all of U.S. agriculture
The United Soybean Board (USB) engages in a number of infrastructure investments designed to keep U.S. soybean growers in a global leadership position while also benefiting transport of other commodities and agricultural inputs. USB Director Belinda Burrier said...
Iowa land value study shows four percent rise in prices
Farmland values in Iowa rose again but at a slower pace than the two previous years. The annual Iowa State University Land Value Survey found that farmland values increased 3.7 percent, or $424, to $11,835 per acre. That increase follows a larger 17 percent increase...
“Factory farming” more a buzz word than a reality
“Factory Farms” is a term that we hear far too often from those who are seemingly opposed to the conventional form of farming that we are all used to seeing. Many times, it is thrown out by those who wish to either radically change or do away with agricultural...
Grassley anticipates challenges for ’24 Farm Bill
With Republicans and Democrats firmly entrenched in their positions, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the sides need to soften their stances and work on compromise to complete a new five-year farm bill in 2024. Grassley says that the current stalemate cannot...
