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Bipartisan Senators introduce bill targeting fertilizer costs and transparency
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation aimed at increasing transparency in fertilizer markets and potentially lowering costs for farmers facing high input expenses. Senators Tammy Baldwin, Chuck Grassley, and Joni Ernst said the proposal would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to study competition, pricing trends and supply factors in the fertilizer industry. The agency would be directed to publish a public report within one year examining issues such as market...
U.S. cattle on feed down three percent
Cattle and calves on feed for the slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 11.7 million on January 1. The inventory was three percent below January 1 of last year. That inventory included 7.03 million steers and steer...
Colder weather could help maintain snowpack until spring
Even with measurable precipitation across much of the state, there was no change to last week?s U.S. Drought Monitor in Iowa. The ground is still completely frozen, so we won?t be seeing any change for a while. However, Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said...
Foundational elements of achieving higher corn yields
This is the time of the year when many farmers are making plans for planting and the upcoming growing season.Robby Meeker, LG Seeds agronomist, says that in order to achieve higher corn yields a farmer must have three key areas in order. Genetic selection, balanced...
NCGA action teams host first 2023 meetings
National Corn Growers Association action teams recently met for their first meeting of the year. Troy Schneider, NCGA market development team chairman, said that with a new year underway, they will continue work to promote corn around the world, dispel myths on...
Adding new income through renewable farming practices
Many farmers have been voluntarily using sustainable farming practices for many years on their operations by using regenerative agriculture practices that boost soil health and water quality.Farmers can now earn a financial benefit from farming sustainably and making...
Secretary Naig encourages Iowans to apply for 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting applications for the 2023 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 10. The program, which is designed to support projects that enhance...
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Pork and Partners helps keep pork at the dinner table
As the largest pork producing state, Iowa farmers of course have an interest in maintaining pork’s place at the dinner table as a large part of a healthy and balanced diet. In order to do that, the Pork Checkoff is investing in three pillars: strategic research,...
Better yields and better savings through retrofit precision ag upgrades
Targeted in-crop spraying is available from John Deere in the form of John Deere’s See & Spray technology. According to John Deere, See & Spray Ultimate can reduce non-residual herbicide use by more than two-thirds by target spraying weeds. However, in...
Iowa local food purchasing assistance program surpasses million-dollar milestone
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Local Food Purchasing Assistance Program (ILFPA) has surpassed $1 million in purchases from Iowa farmers and producers which are then distributed to underserved communities throughout the state....
Farm Bill looking less likely to be completed on time.
During the Iowa State Fair, Senator Chuck Grassley told IARN about the optimism he had for getting the Farm Bill done by the September 30th deadline. Senator Ernst didn’t share his optimism and was looking for an extension of the current legislation, with the hopes of...
Technology extends to all areas of the farm
Precision agriculture technology is a part of almost every segment of a farming operation in 2023. From seed population meters to spot spraying with drones, technology has made farmers more efficient and offered more tools on the farm than ever before. That...
