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U.S. farmers turn to specialty crops as profit margins tighten
Some U.S. farmers are turning to specialty crops and alternative enterprises as low commodity prices and high input costs squeeze traditional farm profits. Extension specialists say interest is rising in wine grapes, specialty grains, produce and agritourism ventures. On-farm processing and direct-to-consumer sales are also drawing attention as farmers look to diversify income streams. USDA data show fertilizer, fuel and equipment costs remain elevated, while corn and soybean prices have...
Important milestone reached on commercial farm for HPAI quarantine restrictions
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced that the last commercial Iowa poultry farm has been released from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) quarantine restrictions. The restrictions prohibited the movement of poultry and poultry...
ISA District 9 meeting highlights infrastructure needs
On Tuesday, the Iowa Soybean Association?s 9th District held a meeting in Keokuk. The highlight of the meeting was a tour of Lock and Dam #19 on the Mississippi River, just above where the Des Moines River runs into the ?Father of Waters? as Abraham Lincoln called it....
Land values rising, especially in Iowa
One of the biggest questions farmers are asking is what their land rent rates will be next year. With higher land values, farmers are expecting rent to be the next big input cost increase in an uncertain time. As farmers are working to lock in other inputs such as...
Landus President & CEO Matt Carstens talks new Innovation Connector
Innovation is incredibly important to agriculture. With an exponentially growing population, farmers have to be able to increase their production efficiency in order to feed the world. However, we know that change can be pretty slow, especially in the ag industry....
Skimping on grain bin safety is the difference between life and death
As we head into the late summer, it is customary for grain bins to be getting cleaned out in preparation for the upcoming harvest. Also, we will be filling those bins back up in a few short weeks. We talk at length about staying safe in the bins and things you need to...
ITC unanimously rejects proposed tariffs on UAN fertilizer
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) unanimously voted to reject anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imports of urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) from Russia, Trinidad, and Tobago.Senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation,...
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More Ag News
Soybean export scorecard: Currency & a struggling global middle class
When we look at the global economy, there is plenty to be concerned with. What are consumers going to spend money on? Where are they going to cut back? There?s a lot to weigh in uncertain times.We may see things like cars, consumer electronics, and even home sales...
NASCAR legend Richard Childress speaks at 35th Annual Celebration of Agriculture
At the end of last month, the 35th Annual Celebration of Agriculture took place in Cedar Rapids and brought over 980 people from across Eastern Iowa to enjoy an evening of networking, dinner, and a keynote speaker. This year?s keynote speaker was NASCAR legend Richard...
Boosting plant performance with crop additives
Crop additives and biologicals can boost crop performance and increase yields, but they need an effective delivery system to carry, protect, and dispense a number of ingredients to the plant in order to help build strong and healthy crops.Peter Rousonelos is the vice...
U.S. pork trending higher as beef exports total lower than last year
U.S. pork exports remained robust in February, achieving double-digit increases over last year in both volume and value, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). February pork exports totaled nearly 222,000 metric...
ASA talks Farm Bill & other legislative priorities
For Ag groups, Farm Bill negotiations are the equivalent of a kid making out their Christmas list for Santa Claus. You know that you are going to likely get something you are going to be happy with, but it is that time to ask for the best of the best. The things that...
