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Trade developments are encouraging, but more progress is needed with China
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced agreements on reciprocal trade with Malaysia and Cambodia and frameworks for agreements on reciprocal trade with Thailand and Vietnam. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom said that while Southeast Asia holds excellent growth potential for U.S. red meat, exporters face significant tariff and non-tariff barriers in the region. President Trump also met last Thursday with Chinese President Xi Jinping. While...
Farm bankruptcies on the rise in 2025
The latest data from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shows farm bankruptcies increasing year over year. Joe Peiffer, an attorney with Ag & Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha Iowa, says the numbers are disturbing. Peiffer says the...
Iowa Corn Growers congratulate California on approval of E15
Yesterday in California, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 30, which legalizes the sale of E15, a fuel blend made with 15% corn ethanol that is cleaner-burning, homegrown and more affordable than ordinary fuels. With the addition of California, it is now legal in...
District Court advances ranchers’ challenge to tag mandate
A legal challenge over the USDA’s electronic identification (EID) tag mandate for certain cattle and bison is moving forward after the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota denied much of the USDA’s attempt to dismiss the case. The lawsuit, brought by...
Ag marketplace is navigating blind without USDA reports
With the government shutdown in full effect, there won't be any export sales reports until Congress can pass a budget resolution. However, we can still look at the estimates this week for a rough idea of what the sales might look like. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Government shuts down as Congress fails to pass budget resolution
The Congressional budget year runs through September 30, and the clock has recently run out. Emily Buckman, director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said Congress was unable to reach an agreement to keep the federal government open....
Favorable fall weather conditions assisting Iowa’s farmers
Mother Nature is lending a helping hand to farmers this week as conditions are excellent for many aspects of agriculture. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the Central U.S. is experiencing nearly ideal conditions for both harvest and planting cover crops. Rippey...
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Taking a look at WASDE estimates despite government shutdown
The impact of the government shutdown continues to be felt, as today was supposed to be the October WASDE report. However, we can still look at the trade estimates to get an idea of what this month’s report could have looked like. Allendale commodity broker Greg...
Farm aid delay is another shutdown casualty
It will take Congress to replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation, assuming that is the course the administration takes to fund emergency farm aid growers need now. But new appropriations were not in the cards, and the government was shut down. House Appropriations...
Senate Ag Committee Senator says China no longer reliable ag trading partner
Senate Ag Committee Republican Roger Marshall of Kansas says China is no longer a reliable ag trading partner. He argues that United States producers need to utilize value-added farm goods to make up for losses in the Chinese market. Value added farm goods are...
Secretary Naig Announces 12 grants to support Iowa specialty crop production
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded Specialty Crop Block Grants to 12 projects across the state. The goal of the program is to enhance the competitiveness of Iowa-grown...
Synchronizing cows brings stronger herd performance and profit
Cattle producers looking to boost profitability may find new value in narrowing their calving window. Recent data from Merck Animal Health shows that synchronizing cow herds can lead to more uniform calf crops and higher returns when it is time to sell. The research...
