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Next week’s heat dome could stress Iowa crops
We’re roughly halfway through the growing season here in Iowa, and there are varying crop conditions across the state. Much of the crop looks very strong currently, but there are some areas struggling with disease, pest, and weather issues. Dan Bjorklund, technical agronomist at Landus Cooperative, said he’s seeing corn growth at the V10 through V14 stages across the state. Bjorklund said the farmers who waited for the optimal planting conditions are seeing more even growth in their fields....
Farmer sentiment bounces back
October provided a surprising pre-election bounce in farmer sentiment as the Purdue University-CME Group Ag Economy Barometer climbed to 115, 27 points above the September index. The biggest driver of the sentiment improvement was an increase in producers’ confidence...
FARM Act could help in lieu of new Farm Bill
Farm economics are in trouble right now. Profit margins are tight, and there is no relief in sight. Part of that problem centers around the fact that we still don’t have a new Farm Bill for a second year. Policies built on ten-year-old data still govern a farm economy...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-5-24)
With the amount of rain that has fallen in South America, any crop concerns that were held earlier in the season have virtually disappeared. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in Brazil and Argentina. McBride said Brazil...
USMEF Strategic Planning Conference will focus on trade relationships
Members of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) will gather in Tucson, Arizona, this week for the federation’s annual Strategic Planning Conference. USMEF Chair Randy Spronk will mark the end of his term of leadership of the organization. Spronk said that, over the...
How will farm bill deliberations play out in 2025?
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is sticking with his prediction of another one-year extension of the 2018 farm bill as Congress runs short on time in 2024. Grassley says that a new five-year farm bill being completed after the elections and during a lame...
Farm Credit System income up seven percent to $5.91 billion
The Farm Credit System reported that combined net income was relatively stable at $1.98 billion for the third quarter of 2024, as compared with $2 billion for the third quarter of 2023. For the nine months ending on September 20, 2024, FCS’s combined net income...
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Ag Secretary Rollins discusses farm labor costs
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins says farm labor costs have reached in some cases more than 50 percent of expenses but still defends the President’s mass deportation policy. Rollins makes no excuse for backing the President’s immigration policy and better securing the...
Ag groups react to tariff implementation
Many U.S. ag groups reacted to the President’s decision to implement tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Rob Larew, President of the National Farmers Union, says tariffs will have serious consequences for American agriculture. “We’re already facing significant...
MaxStax helps keep crops healthy throughout the year
When it comes to having a successful crop year, it’s important to get out ahead of any potential factors that might limit your yields. There are many different ways to do this, and some of those methods are more difficult than others. Meristem’s solution to getting a...
AFBF comments on Trump tariff situation
At 12:01 A.M. on Tuesday, March 4, tariffs on Mexican and Canadian imports went into effect. At the same time, the tariff on Chinese imports doubled. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says these tariffs now...
ICGA President Swanson checks in after NCGA Delegate Meeting
The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) convened in Denver, CO, for its annual delegate meeting during Commodity Classic, bringing together representatives from state organizations nationwide. This crucial gathering serves as a platform for delegates to debate...
