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Methods to combat heat stress in cattle
With most of the country experiencing on and off instances of extreme heat in recent weeks, producers are working hard to prepare for a potentially long and hot summer for their cattle. Producers need to be preparing for ways to mitigate heat stress in their animals with shade, sprinklers, and bedding says Alfredo DiConstanzo of University of Nebraska Extension. DiConstanzo says that management decisions can make a big difference in lowering heat stress. He says that although there are some...
USDA issues final rule on amendments to Federal milk marketing orders
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule amending the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The final rule was made available for viewing on Jan. 16,...
USDA Releases guidance on 45z; Trump Treasury must still approve
Yesterday marked a moment that farmers and the biofuels industry eagerly anticipated for over a year. The USDA released guidance on 45z tax credits for climate-smart Ag, feedstocks, and biofuels. Many ag industry leaders and entities have praised Secretary Vilsack for...
Collecting financial data for flower farms
Iowa is no stranger to specialty crop farming, and flowers are one of those specialty crops. Since they can be planted so close together, flowers can offer substantial yields on smaller acreages. However, as it is with many specialty crops, there isn’t a lot of data...
USDA announces more regulatory reforms for Packers and Stockyards Act
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a third installment in regulatory reforms to the Packers and Stockyards Act. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said this third change, in combination with the others, is intended to level the playing field for farmers raising...
Arctic cold and potential cattle concerns
A strong arctic system is expected to settle over much of the United States late this week and into the weekend, creating concerns for livestock producers. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the latest blast of arctic air could bring some of the coldest temperatures...
SCN continuing spread renews focus on the threat
Researchers have been updating the map of known soybean cyst nematode distribution regularly since 2000, and with each update, the threat spreads. The latest update, spearheaded by Greg Tylka, a nematologist from Iowa State University, reveals 31 counties in ten...
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Cercospora leaf blight poses a heightened challenge for soybean farmers
As planting season continues and the 2025 crop season gets fully underway, it’s important for farmers to be aware of the diseases that can impact their crops and limit yields. Last year, the top yield-limiting foliar disease for soybeans was Cercospora leaf blight...
National Farmers Union hosting a week of action
The National Farmers Union is hosting a Week of Action May 5th-9th, 2025. Rob Larew, president of the National Farmers Union, says that farmers are dealing with too much uncertainty and are in desperate need of a new five-year farm bill. Larew says that America’s...
U.S. ag groups react to EPA strategy
The EPA released an updated draft Insecticide Strategy, and U.S. agriculture groups and supporters reacted to the news. “EPA’s numerous pragmatic improvements to the draft Insecticide Strategy have created a final strategy that can be better implemented by applicators...
Chinese government urging other countries to oppose U.S. tariffs
China and the U.S. have officially drawn lines in the sand regarding trade and tariffs. China seems to be digging in for the long term and looking for allies. Arlan Suderman, chief commodities economist for StoneX, said the Chinese government released a video this...
GROWMARK driving growth in carbon marketplace
Momentum is building in the carbon credit marketplace as demand from companies seeking to meet sustainability goals continues to rise. Farmers are increasingly benefiting from this trend, receiving additional revenue by adopting climate-friendly practices such as...
