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Dry winter did not replenish needed moisture for growing season
Generally speaking, it was a mild and dry winter season for the United States. And it has left many areas of the country with dryness as the beginning of the planting season approaches. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey details the lack of precipitation this winter season and provides more specifics from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The last time the United States experienced a dryer winter season was the winter of 1980-1981. Rippey says that the dry winter we have...
U.S. ag trade deficit continues climbing in 2025
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit hit a record high in the first half of 2025. Bloomberg said that only highlights American farmers’ longtime dominant role in world exports, which is hurt by President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Agricultural export value trailed the...
Grilling up fun at the Iowa Pork Producers Tent
Mother Nature tried to put a damper on the Iowa State Fair yesterday, spending much of the morning tossing thunderstorms our way. Nothing severe, but enough to keep the early crowds in check. By the time I arrived for my 11 a.m. “celebrity chef” shift at the Iowa Pork...
The Iowa State Fair is one big ag education opportunity
In true Iowa fashion, the weather was unpredictable for the first day of the Iowa State Fair. Thunderstorms rolled across the Des Moines metro, and many state fair attendees decided to wait out the storms before making their visit to the fair. But once the storms...
Farmer sentiment weakened in July
Farmer sentiment continues to weaken. The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer declined again in July, falling to 135, an 11-point month-over-month decline from June. The July Current Conditions Index dropped 17 points to 127, while the Future Expectations...
First annual Heart of the County Fair Award recipients
The Heart of the County Fair Award honors exceptional Iowans who have made significant contributions to their local fairs and communities. The families will be honored at the Iowa State Fair with a plaque and special recognition, made possible by Beck’s Hybrids in...
Field level yield predictions and AI agronomic advice from FBN
As every farmer knows, scouting a corn field from the end rows can tell a much different story from what is happening in the middle of your field. Farmers Business Network is attempting to help farmers with their scouting by providing field level yield data to Iowa’s...
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New World Screwworm detected 70 miles from U.S. border
Today, the USDA announced that New World Screwworm was detected in the Mexican state of Nuevo León, approximately 70 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. In light of this news, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) is urging the federal government to expedite...
U.S. beef trade to Indonesia reopens
Earlier this month, the Indonesian Halal Authority (BPJPH) moved to reaccredit the only U.S. halal certifying company in the U.S. approved for Indonesia. The accreditation had been suspended in March, effectively halting U.S. beef exports to Indonesia. U.S. Meat...
Lower cattle feedlot placements in August
The USDA published the latest Cattle on Feed Report on Friday and the numbers indicate continued contraction of cattle feedlot inventory. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell details the numbers as of September 1st. McConnell expands on the trends in the latest...
ICGA celebrates harvest weight proclamation, effective immediately
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds granted Iowa Corn’s request and signed a proclamation today granting a temporary weight limit exemption for trucks operating on Iowa roads to support the haul of this year’s crop during harvest. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting...
Naig shares crop expectations and safety reminders
This week is Farm Safety Week, a time when farmers and the ag industry take a step back to focus on staying safe during one of the busiest and most dangerous seasons of the year. With harvest beginning in earnest very soon across Iowa, the reminders are timely because...
