Top Stories
Specialty crop payment rates due in April
The USDA has already allocated over $6 billion in payments under the Farmer Bridge Assistance Programs. Payment rates for specialty crops under the program are due in early April. “I believe we’ll have those payment rates in place by early next month,” Deputy Ag Secretary Stephen Vaden told Politico. “We’ll publish those payment rates as soon as we have them, and then quickly get going on the payment part of it.” He added that sugar beets, cotton, and rice are the commodities in the most...
Markets still walking a steep ledge in a strong wind
Looking at the market screen during the writing of this article, I am seeing a lot of red in the grain markets. Lower prices are nothing new in the marketplace. We all know that what goes up usually comes down. However, in the current economic climate, the trip down...
Precision Agriculture Loan Program Act aims to get new technology out to farmers
In September, we had the Farm Progress Show in Boone. The event was a great showcase of the advancing technologies in the ag industry, but even with all of that new equipment, one issue remains: how do we get it into the hands of farmers? Iowa 4th District Congressman...
USDA investing in strengthening supply chain and improving processing capacity
Agriculture is built upon our rural communities. As such, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is aiming to increase business opportunities in those communities by leveling out the playing field for producers. U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA...
Ag economy barometer declines again
Farmer sentiment weakened again in October as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer fell to a reading of 102, down ten points compared to a month earlier. Both of the barometer?s sub-indices, the Index of Current Conditions and the Index of Future...
Transportation headaches continue for grain shippers
While the Mississippi River did raise a little thanks to some rains in the past week, it hasn?t been enough to return us to regular shipping volumes. Combine that with high diesel prices and a looming railroad strike, we are in a pickle as we are in the busy season...
What we can learn about Avian Influenza from one bird?
High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is back in Iowa. We just learned earlier this week of a large laying flock needing to be destroyed in Wright County. This brings the first major case of HPAI to Iowa this fall. As we talked last week with Iowa Ag Secretary Mike...
Video
More Ag News
It?s fair season, but the weather sure isn?t fair
Fresh off the Independence Day holiday, and as corn starts to tassel around Iowa, the variable dryness continues to cause concern among growers and end users alike. Linn County farmer Ryan Seick said the moisture profile is about empty after the dryness in June, so...
Hinson & Nunn push bicameral EATS Act forward
The Supreme Court?s decision to uphold California?s Proposition 12 has opened up a lot of discussion about the precedence it has set that will reach far beyond pork and poultry. Many are concerned that a patchwork of guidelines could be introduced in any industry and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-5-23)
Once again, not much has changed in the South American weather patterns. However, things are getting interesting in the exports, especially with the shake-up from last week?s USDA reports. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said that Brazil, with its record crop,...
Raising healthy and productive dairy heifers
Heifers are one of the most valuable assets for a dairy operation. They are the future of the milking herd and, ultimately, determine the profitability and longevity of your business. Dr. Rebecca Klopp, a calf and heifer specialist with Purina Animal Nutrition, talked...
SNAP error rate alarms Senator Ernst and other lawmakers
SNAP payment error and fraud rates have alarmed U.S. lawmakers and further fueled the food stamp spending fight, central to writing the new farm bill. The total SNAP fiscal year 2022 error rate of 11.5% prompted bipartisan response from the four Ag panel leaders, who...
