Top Stories
Iowa FFA members fight food insecurity at annual convention
Since 2012, Iowa FFA members have helped package pre-made meals to fight food insecurity during the annual Iowa FFA Leadership Conference. Servant leadership is one of the core values of the FFA, which means that events and opportunities like this truly resonate with members. Scott Johnson, executive director of the Iowa FFA Association, said they are grateful to have this partnership with both Meals from the Heartland and the current project sponsor, Cargill. Johnson said Iowa FFA members...
Rising farmer sentiment in March surprised some industry experts
Despite rapidly rising input prices for farmers the March Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer registered a rise in producer sentiment. Michael Langemeier, the director of the Center for Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University, says the rising March...
AFBF continues to push for new farm bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging Congress to continue work on a new farm bill. More than one month ago, the House Agriculture Committee passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act on a bipartisan basis. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for...
NCGA survey shows rising alarm over fertilizer costs
U.S. corn farmers are growing increasingly concerned about fertilizer affordability and availability, with worries extending beyond the current planting season. That’s according to new survey results released by the National Corn Growers Association. Surveys conducted...
Spring volatility gives way to El Niño watch
Spring weather across Iowa and much of the Midwest has been delivering the kind of rapid temperature swings farmers know all too well. Warm afternoons that hint at an early planting push have quickly been followed by colder air, gusty winds, and even lingering shots...
Quiet April WASDE report still contained important information
The April WASDE report lined up with the market expectations and made virtually no changes this month. However, that’s not to say that the report did not contain valuable information moving forward. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the April WASDE included...
Projecting demand for grilling season as beef prices soar
Every year the meat industry can rely on a spike in demand for meat during the summer grilling season. However, with beef prices at extremely high levels in stores, will demand this grilling season be as high as it typically would be during the spring and summer...
Video
More Ag News
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...
