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Consumers looking at pork as beef prices remain high
2025 offered some great profit opportunities to swine producers as they enjoyed strong demand and lower input costs. Fortunately, some of those profit opportunities have carried into 2026. Holly Cook, economist with the National Pork Producers Council, said there are many demand conversations happening this summer. With the high prices consumers are paying for beef at the meat counter, some consumers turn their attention to pork cuts instead. Cook said there are a few factors that come into...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-25-25)
The export sales might seem a little low this week, but getting any sales with the state of the global economy and President Trump’s tariffs is a good thing. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest corn export numbers from the USDA....
Congress must act to protect family farms
Farmers and ranchers could face higher estate taxes if Congress fails to act before the end of the year. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act contains provisions that are set to end in 2025, many of which are beneficial to farmers and ranchers. Samantha Ayoub, an associate...
More farmers are tapping into the power of AI
As agricultural technology continues to evolve, farmers are finding faster and more accurate ways to produce their goods. Among the latest tools gaining traction in the farming community is AI, a technology once known mostly for helping students with research or...
Farmers should use a varied approach to combat SCN
Often referred to as the “billion-dollar pest,” soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a major pest that farmers have to deal with every year. While we do have several great options, especially in genetics, it’s important to keep from relying too much on one single mode of...
USDA provides publicly available resources to farmers
USDA reports can be a very valuable resource for hog producers. Lee Schulz, chief economist with Ever.Ag, says fundamentals are key when digging through publicly available data. Dr. Schulz points to additional market pressures, including changes in the World...
Helping veterans transition from national security to food security
We’ve all heard the saying, “Food security is national security.” Few people take both food and national security more seriously than veterans in agriculture, such as Matthew and Kara Rutter, who have established Project Victory Gardens in Townville, South Carolina....
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Iowa producers watching Prop 12 situation closely
Pork and egg producers across the country were paying close attention yesterday as the House Agriculture Committee held a hearing on California's Proposition 12. California voters passed Prop 12 in 2018 essentially banning the sale of conventionally raised pork and...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-24-25)
Corn sales rebounded this week after a disappointing performance last week. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of this week’s numbers. McBride said bean sales looked weaker at first glance, but strength remained in the old crop numbers. McBride...
Farmland values remain firm at midway point of 2025
Despite challenges with the commodity markets and widespread uncertainty regarding profitability, farmland values are remaining steady at the midway point of 2025. Paul Shadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate with Farmers National Company, explains the economics...
Secretary Naig announces grants for 24 projects to bolster access to biodiesel, E15 in Iowa
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP) Board recently approved an additional 24 applications from Iowa fuel retailers to support new and expanded biofuel infrastructure projects. These investments...
Naig: Conservation, cooperation needed for Iowa water
Iowa agriculture has a responsibility to be a partner in protecting and improving water quality—not just for the benefit of rural communities, but also for our urban neighbors. That partnership was thrust into the spotlight earlier this summer when Des Moines Water...
