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Iowa farmers face demand gap as production grows
Iowa farmers continue to push productivity higher, but new demand has not kept pace with that growth. Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw told members that agriculture is once again facing a familiar challenge: more grain than existing markets can absorb. During his remarks, Shaw pointed to the success of renewable fuels over the past two decades, saying ethanol blends helped create new demand that supported farm income and rural economies. But with E10 now saturated...
U.S. Drought Monitor remained static for this week for Iowa
This week?s U.S. Drought Monitor didn?t have any changes for Iowa, but that alone is still good news. Given how crazy and volatile the global situation is when it comes to crops, it was nice to see some consistency. Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said this...
Cybersecurity for your farm operation
The more technology improves, the better we get at farming. The precision, the record-keeping, and the actual equipment have become more advanced and easier to use. However, with that increased productivity and ease of use comes a different kind of hazard,...
Congresswoman Hinson gives update on Ag bills
Members of the Iowa delegation in both chambers of Congress have been making efforts at advancing agricultural legislation aimed at fixing everyday issues that Iowa farmers are facing. Whether it is supply chain issues, biofuels, cattle market transparency, or other...
Food away from home spending dropped during pandemic
The first year of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the temporary closures of restaurants in the United States, prompting a decline in Food Away from Home Spending. Spending decreased at each of the nine types of food-away-from-home outlets measured in the USDA Economic...
Iowa farmers have taken advantage of small planting window
We are a few days away from Monday's next Weekly Crop Progress Report. This is where we are going to see how much, if any, time was lost getting crops in the field. Unlike harvest, planting can go quickly in a few days. While mother nature did give us some cooler...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-19-22)
It was another fairly neutral report today for corn and soybean exports. Both commodities came within expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this fits the annual pattern for exports.McBride also talked about this week?s wheat export numbers. He...
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More Ag News
Melting snow provides much-needed moisture, but we still need more
Not much has changed recently in the U.S. Drought Monitor. It?s great that it?s not getting worse, but we need to start to make progress on those moisture deficits. Thankfully, Iowa State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said that the warmer temperatures we?ve seen...
National Pork Board working to expand export opportunities
The National Pork Board is always looking for ways to expand export opportunities for U.S. Pork.One of the ways in which the NPB learns about international trade markets is by taking trips to those countries to try and find ways to differentiate U.S. Pork from...
U.S. and UK discuss trade as Mexico issues new decree
The United States and the United Kingdom continue to explore the path towards a trade agreement, though there are still several obstacles that need to be addressed. Dave Salmonsen, American Farm Bureau Federation Senior Government Affairs Director, the countries have...
Iowa Ag Secretary Naig talks Farm Bill
With the Farm Bill up for renewal, Congress is hearing from stakeholders all around the country. It is the largest piece of farm and food legislation, and all corners are weighing in. It isn?t just farmers and farm organizations, but also state governments that are...
Partnership to protect the U.S. from African Swine Fever
A new partnership was put in place at the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture Winter Policy Conference. NASDA, the USDA, the National Pork Board, and the National Pork Producers Council are working together to enhance coordination and preparedness...
