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USDA releases December 2025 red meat export data
U.S. pork exports posted the second highest value and third largest volume on record in 2025, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said this follows a record-setting year in 2024. Halstrom said December beef exports were the largest in eight months, but full-year shipments fell substantially year-over-year, largely due to the ongoing trade impasse with China. Halstrom added that exports of U.S....
There?s more to worry about than ASF
For the past few years, we have been paying very close attention to the movement of African Swine Fever (ASF) around the globe. The United States has been very diligent and has kept it off our shores for some time. While the focus has been on ASF, there are still...
USDA expands crop insurance for double crop systems
The Department of Agriculture Tuesday announced an expansion of crop insurance availability for double-crop practices. To reduce the risk of raising two crops on the same land in one year ? a practice known as double cropping - USDA's Risk Management Agency is...
Shipping reform has further options
The supply chain is suffering in this country and around the globe. There were many concerns raised about the situation we have in our ports, especially in the Pacific. Containers have been heading across the ocean empty while American goods are waiting to be...
Soybean crop update for north central & northeast Iowa
While northwest Iowa has been dealing with drought conditions, north central and northeast Iowa have mostly received the rains they?ve needed to have a good soybean crop. LG Seeds Agronomist Jed Norman said they have a pretty great crop considering how late the beans...
Scout now for corn rootworm
Corn rootworm isn?t called the billion-dollar pest for no reason and as we are moving right along this growing season, now is the time where corn rootworm is starting to make its appearance and cause the most damage in fields, so farmers need to be on the...
USDA helping issue child food benefits for summer
The USDA is partnering with states and territories across the country to work with urgency to provide food benefits for the summer months to eligible children. As of July 8, 27 states and territories, including Puerto Rico, are set up to provide these benefits to an...
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More Ag News
Getting ahead of the weed tipping point
Sometimes lessons must be learned the hard way. We are discovering that more and more when it comes to weed control in our fields. Sometimes we don?t fully understand the tools we are using, sometimes real-world results change as the species adapt. No matter what...
Grassley not confident EPA will issue waiver for summer E15 sales
On Sunday the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies or OPEC+ announced that it will cut oil production by 1.16 million barrels per day. On Monday morning during his weekly conference call with ag broadcasters and reporters, United States Senator...
March exited like a lion with severe weather outbreaks
The drought monitor has seen a slight improvement due to precipitation from the spring weather. Unfortunately, some of that precipitation has come in the form of severe weather, which can bring as much harm as it does good. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan...
U.S. red meat exports contributing to corn and soybean value
Corn used for feed to support U.S. red meat exports contributed to 15% of overall corn value in 2022 according to an annual study conducted by World Perspectives, Inc., on behalf of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Dave Juday, World Perspectives senior...
Holding old crop grain could be playing with fire
The Planting Intentions and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports are out, and the numbers were pretty close to what we were expecting to see; more corn acres being planted. Of course, prices are decent, and we hear that a lot. But, if you are holding grain in the bin and...
