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AFBF concerned about proposed UP-NS rail merger
The $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern railroads would create the first coast-to-coast railroad across 43 states. Danny Munch, economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the big concern is the loss of competitive pressure across the rail system. Munch said rail shippers are incredibly important to agricultural commerce. Munch said rail mergers are reviewed by the Surface Transportation Board and not the Department of Justice. The American Farm Bureau...
Will the farm bill be completed in 2023?
After the November midterm elections, we now know who will be working on the farm bill in 2023. That is the easy part. The next question is, will a farm bill be completed in the new year? Here is Ken Barbic, vice president and head of policy and global government...
Strengthening our rural communities will strengthen us all
We have officially flipped the calendar. Well, maybe not flipped it so much as tore the old one off the wall and put up the new one. 2023 is here, and even though one day doesn?t make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, it is a figurative cleaning of the...
EPA finalizes WOTUS definition
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers announced a final rule establishing the definition of ?Waters of the United States.? They say the rule reduces uncertainty from consistently changing regulatory definitions, protects people?s health,...
SymTRX XP uses optimized nutrient efficiency to increase ROI
Farmers are always looking for ways to maximize their return on investment, and one of the best ways to do that is through improving nutrient efficiency. Anuvia Plant Nutrients CCO Hugh MacGillivray said that?s why they?re launching SymTRX XP, which utilizes microbial...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-30-22)
We saw same pretty decent export sales to close out the year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week?s U.S. Export Sales Report.There was also a flash sale of soybeans to unknown this morning. McBride said the frequency of soybean...
Response to census of agriculture is vital for ag policy
Now is the time for farmers and livestock producers to complete the Census of Agriculture. Mike Doherty, senior economist with the Illinois Farm Bureau, says an accurate count is important.The Census of Agriculture is a great tool because it is able to zoom into the...
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More Ag News
Grain indemnity fund assessment begins September 1st
The reinstatement of fees on grain sold to or deposited at Iowa-licensed grain dealers and warehouses as part of the Iowa Grain Depositors and Sellers Indemnity Fund (Grain Indemnity Fund) starts on September 1.“The Grain Indemnity Fund serves as a low-cost insurance...
U.S. Export Sales Report (8-24-23)
Old crop sales slid a little bit as we approach the end of the marketing year. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week’s U.S. Export Sales Report.McBride said there have been scattered flash sales, but nothing has been...
Crop Tour finding crop conditions getting tougher
The toughest areas of the Corn Belt in regard to the condition of the 2023 crop are where crop tour scouts are the two largest producing states corn and soybean wise, Illinois and Iowa. Kyle Wendland, Northeast Iowa farmer and longtime crop tour scout, says his...
Governor Reynolds updates the year-round E15 battle
It’s been almost five years since the Trump Administration announced the year-round availability of E15. It was a victory that was celebrated throughout the ag and biofuels industry. It was not a mandate that E15 had to be used in every vehicle, it was just allowing...
South American Weather and Crop Update (8-23-23)
The weather hasn’t done much in South America to alleviate the drought concerns. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions.Argentina’s harvest is wrapped up, and Brazil is pushing towards the finish line as well.As far as the rest...
