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DOJ continuing investigation into alleged meatpacking antitrust violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, prompting renewed calls from ranching groups for greater competition and market transparency. Federal officials said investigators are examining whether consolidation among the nation’s largest meatpackers contributed to inflated beef prices for consumers and reduced prices paid to cattle producers. The four largest beef processors control roughly 85% of the fed...
Ernst: Senate Path tough after House Farm Bill vote
The U.S. House has passed its version of the Farm Bill, but the focus now turns to the Senate, where the path forward is expected to be more difficult. While in Washington last week, I spoke with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst just as the House was preparing to vote on...
USDA confirms pseudorabies in swine herds in Iowa and Texas
On Thursday April 30th the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed via ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) and latex agglutination testing (LAT) a detection of...
Growers fear 2027 prices will put fertilizer out of reach
A recent survey by the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) left no doubt that high fertilizer prices will continue to be a big concern for farmers, especially in 2027. NCGA President Jed Bower talked about the ag community is on the verge of having some very big...
Midwest’s premier dairy conference is happening next month
One of the longest-running dairy nutrition conferences in the country will take place again this year from June 3-4 in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference- a collaboration between the extension services of Iowa State...
More reaction to house farm bill passage
U.S. agriculture groups continued to react to the House of Representatives’ passing of its 2026 Farm Bill. “Instead of caving to attacks on the livestock industry from groups posing as farmers and ranchers, a bipartisan group advanced a bill that will provide needed...
Farm Bill Clears House as E15 Waits
The U.S. House has now passed its version of the Farm Bill, but just hours before that final vote, lawmakers were still working through the steps needed to bring the legislation to the floor. Speaking Wednesday morning, just minutes before the House began voting on...
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House farm bill amendment blocks foreign adversaries from buying U.S. farmland
Foreign adversaries are barred from buying U.S. farmland under an amendment added to the House farm bill which recently passed in the House by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Florida Republican Greg Steube. Much of the land referred to by Steube is located near...
DOJ confirms probe into beef processors
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into the nation’s beef processing industry, raising concerns about market concentration and its impact on cattle producers. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials are examining whether...
Ernst builds on USDA food safety center announcement
Following up on last week’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about establishing a National Food Safety Center in Iowa, more details are emerging about what that move means for the state and the broader ag industry. The USDA’s Food Safety and...
Inspiring consumers to add more pork to their diets
The National Pork Board’s Retail Advisory Committee (RAC) meeting serves as a direct, industry-focused platform to connect retail leaders with key insights into the organization’s consumer campaigns and third-party consumer research. Neal Hull, NPB’s director of state...
U.S. beef has great new opportunities in the UK marketplace
U.S. beef recently regained duty-free access to the United Kingdom under a 13,000 metric ton quota included in the trade framework reached by the Trump administration last year. The quota provides the first zero-duty access to the UK since its exit from the European...
