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Ernst backs Glen Smith, USDA restructuring plan
Another Iowan could soon be stepping into a key USDA leadership role, while the department also looks to reshape how it operates across the country. Senator Joni Ernst says Glen Smith is moving through the confirmation process for a USDA under secretary role, calling him a strong fit because of both his farming background and experience in Washington. Ernst says Smith’s confirmation would give Iowa another voice at the federal level during a period of major changes inside the USDA. She says...
Strong interest in U.S. beef at Gulfood in Dubai
With support from USDA, the Beef Checkoff Program and the Texas Beef Council, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) promoted U.S. beef at Gulfood, one of the world?s largest food trade shows. The event was held Feb. 20-24 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. USMEF CEO...
A strong year for Iowa pork producers
Kevin Rasmussen is a farmer from Humboldt County Iowa who served as the Iowa Pork Producers Association President in 2022 and now serves on the board of directors. He says that 2022 was a year of smooth sailing.Rasmussen says that a big focus in 2022 was helping to...
Chief Ag Negotiator talks top trade priorities
Doug McKalip is busy in his role as Chief Agricultural Negotiator with the U.S. Trade Representative?s Office. At the recent USDA Ag Outlook Forum, McKalip talked about some of his top priorities.?The first focus would be on keeping markets we have open,? McKalip...
Iowa to request emergency E15 waiver for 2023
States seeking year-round E-15 may request an emergency waiver for the 2023 summer driving season. The Environment Protection Agency announced a proposal this week to allow year-round E-15 in states that requested the waiver. However, the proposal delays...
ARC/PLC signup deadline fast approaching
The temperatures are turning warmer. Soon, we will be back in daylight savings time. The itch to get the dirt turned and the seed planted is starting to affect us all. It?s almost time to start the 2023 crop season here in Iowa. However, before you do any of that, you...
U.S. Export Sales Report (3-2-23)
This week?s export sales were uneventful. This is to be expected since we have been going through option expirations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of the latest U.S. Export Sales Report.For a while, export demand was low since U.S....
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Adding revenue streams through sustainable farming practices
In 2022 Farmers Business Network and ADM began a collaboration which allowed ADM customers to find sustainability programs through the FBN technology platform. Kurt Alles, senior manager of sustainability at FBN, says that farmers can build additional revenue streams...
Iowa’s best tenderloin has been found
A successful hunt for the best tenderloin in the State of Iowa. Cliffs Place in Manning is where you’ll find it, congratulations to owners Jim and Jon Waterbury as the winners of the 2023 Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest. It’s a prestigious honor from the...
Record cash receipts from commodity sales in 2022
American farms reported record cash receipts of $555 billion from the sales of all commodities in 2022. This beat the previous high from 2014 by 3.1 percent after adjusting both amounts for inflation and was 28 percent above the 20-year average level. The 2022 record...
Soybeans are a huge impact on the American economy
Soybeans are amazing little seeds. We can do so much with them. Whether it is for feeding humans and animals, fueling our cars, being part of the rubber in tires and shoes, or sealing the road surfaces we drive on; that little bean is everywhere and is an essential...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-13-23)
Another mostly friendly report from the USDA, this time from the U.S. Export Sales Report. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said that the old crop numbers were good, and the new crop numbers were at least mediocre. Flash sales were also fairly active,...
