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Fertilizer price probe opens as farm margins tighten
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an industrywide investigation into fertilizer prices after sharp increases during spring planting. Reuters reported that FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency is using civil investigative demands to gather documents and testimony. The probe comes as growers face higher fertilizer and fuel costs, drought in parts of the Plains and another year of narrow margins. Reuters said urea prices have climbed 55% since shipping through the Strait of Hormuz...
Secretary Naig and INREC launch nitrogen soil sampling project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) today announced a new, three-year Nitrogen Soil Sampling Project that will conduct nitrogen soil testing for farmers in targeted areas upstream from the Des...
NPPC targets Prop 12, trade, labor in D.C.
The National Pork Producers Council is taking its top policy priorities directly to Capitol Hill this week as pork producers gather in Washington, D.C. for the group’s Legislative Action Conference April 15 and 16. Rob Brenneman, president of NPPC and a pork producer...
U.S. blockade in Strait of Hormuz will have long-lasting impact
The Iran conflict has escalated further, as President Donald Trump announced a plan for a full U.S. Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. Now, the energy and fertilizer industries are wondering what that will do to prices. Josh Linville, vice president of fertilizer...
U.S. Red Meat Symposium brings U.S. exporters and Mexican importers together
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is conducting a U.S. Red Meat Symposium, April 14-17 in Mexico City, which will allow U.S. exporters to meet face-to-face with importers and other prospective customers from throughout Mexico. This is the second edition of the...
Adjustments to the soybean balance sheets in USDA April WASDE report
The monthly WASDE reports from USDA provide a snapshot of the current state of U.S. and World Soybean Supply and Demand Estimates. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski notes the changes to the U.S. domestic use numbers in the April WASDE report. The...
Advisors urge farmers to use tax data for broader financial planning
Farm financial records can offer more than a snapshot of past performance: they can serve as a roadmap for future decisions, according to agricultural finance experts. As producers prepare tax returns for filing this week, advisors say the process provides an...
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ICGA applauds year-round E15 amendment inclusion in House farm bill
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) has advocated for year-round, nationwide E15 for more than 15 years—a goal that remains a top priority as farm families face tightening margins and market volatility. With the recent introduction of an amendment to the House...
New export markets boost Iowa agriculture
As the U.S. works to expand agricultural trade, USDA officials say diversifying export markets is becoming more important for long-term stability. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says relying too heavily on one major buyer...
Food rescue plays a big role in fighting food insecurity
On top of distributing food to people who need it, food banks across the country play a vital role in reducing food waste. The USDA estimates that up to 40% of the nation’s food supply goes to waste every year. Food rescue serves two main purposes- it keeps some of...
Fuel price volatility continues as war negotiations resume
For the duration of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, oil prices have been on a rollercoaster ride, And that volatility continues as negotiations resume in Pakistan. Patrick DeHaan, the senior petroleum analyst with Gasbuddy.com, said oil prices decreased last week,...
Slow moving weather systems expected to provide more precipitation
USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a mix of temperatures and above normal precipitation is expected for much of country for the period of April 28th-May 4th. Rippey provides the details of the 8 to 14 day weather forecast. Rippey says parts of the Plains should...
