Top Stories
Promoting pork for today’s tastes
Driving pork demand and swine health remain top priorities for newly-elected National Pork Board President Chad Groves. He mentioned the importance of the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” campaign in promoting pork consumption and acknowledged the industry’s commitment to the turning point in swine health. According to Groves, since its launch in May 2025, the digital-forward campaign has been a useful tool for understanding consumers. Change won’t happen overnight, but the tide is turning. Groves...
Specialty crop producer assistance deadline approaching
A deadline is approaching for U.S. specialty crop producers to sign up for marketing assistance. Applications are now open for USDA’s new $2 billion Marketing Assistance for Specialty Crops Program. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation,...
NPB marketing to a new brand of customer (Pt 1)
As we continue to evolve the agriculture business, it goes without saying that we need also to evolve the marketing of our products. As the age evolves, so do the consumers. Life has changed from one generation to the next, however, the need to eat is just as strong...
Grassley discusses bilateral trade agreements with Ag Secretary Nominee Rollins
President-elect Trump has nominated Brooke Rollins for the post of Secretary of Agriculture and the Senate Agriculture Committee is likely to hold a hearing with Rollins soon as Congress is now back in session. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) met with...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-7-24)
The U.S. markets are keeping a close eye on the weather in South America in the event that they see some crop issues, but right now the weather is looking to be rainy and supportive of their current crops. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the...
Marketing cattle can be challenging in January
The cattle market had a great year in 2024, and while things aren’t abysmal suddenly in January, it’s not a particularly strong time either. Scott Varilek of KKV Trading in Sioux Center, Iowa, said January typically isn’t the best month to market cattle. Varilek said...
Looking at tar spot in 2025
Every growing season brings us challenges. I wouldn’t call them “new” or “different” challenges for the most part. Most of them are things we have seen before but in different levels and combinations. While disease pressure is not anything new, tar spot has become a...
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More Ag News
Grassley discusses trade war impact on Iowa’s farmers
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was in Iowa this week to continue his yearly 99 county tour with question-and-answer sessions during his stops. Senator Grassley says he was asked by Iowans about the potential for payments to farmers impacted by trade...
Egg production down year-over-year
U.S. egg production totaled 8.63 billion in March 2025, a 7% drop from the same month last year. That figure includes 7.35 billion table eggs and 1.28 billion hatching eggs — with 1.18 billion from broiler-type hens and 104 million from egg-type hens. The average...
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...
