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Bankruptcy filings signal ongoing farm financial stress
Farm bankruptcies across the country remain at levels not seen since the disruptions of the COVID era, and legal experts say that should concern producers and lenders alike. While the pace of filings this year is similar to last year, that does not mean the farm economy is in the clear. Austin Peiffer, an attorney with Ag and Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha, says the numbers remain elevated compared to historical norms. The American Farm Bureau Federation reports there were at least 158...
Iowa Cattlemen developing future leaders in D.C.
In order to be an effective grassroots organization, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association needs leaders who are willing to step up and take on the issues facing the cattle industry. The Iowa Cattlemen's Leadership Program helps develop those leaders, and...
Strike at East and Gulf Coast ports would impact meat exports
Contract negotiations between the International Longshoremen’s Association and U.S. Maritime Alliance on a new labor agreement for port workers along the East and Gulf Coasts have stalled, increasing the potential for an Oct. 1 strike. U.S. Meat Export Federation...
Report has few clues for the future of the cattle cycle
Are beef cattle producers beginning to hold back heifers for breeding? Or is the United States beef cattle herd still in contraction mode? Unfortunately, there are few available clues in last week’s September USDA Cattle on Feed report as to the direction the beef...
Cyclone women agree to NIL deal with Iowa Pork Producers
Iowa State Cyclone women’s basketball players Audi Crooks, Kelsey Joens, Addy Brown and Alisa Williams have agreed to work with the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) to promote pork. In a video released Monday, the four sophomores on the Cyclone women’s...
NK Soybeans looks forward to 2025 growing season
As we see more combines hitting the fields to start the 2024 harvest season, we know it is not unreasonable to be thinking about the seeds we will be planting in 2025. This is especially true if this year’s hybrids aren’t meeting your expectations. NK Soybeans is...
Enrollment open for 10th year of PFI’s cover crop cost-share program
Enrollment is currently open for the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s cover crop cost-share program. Morgan Jennings, PFI’s field crops viability coordinator, said the program is now in its tenth year. Jennings said the program is uniquely flexible, as farmers seeding fall...
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Milder winter may shift H5N1 seasonal pattern
The extended fall and unusually mild start of winter delayed the southern migration of many bird species, prolonging last year’s H5N1 (avian influenza) season. With birds lingering longer than usual, the virus had an extended window to spread. As January ends on a...
Grassley discusses tariff concerns
After taking office last week President Trump announced he is considering introducing import tariffs as high as 25% on Canada and Mexico beginning in February. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the potential tariffs during his weekly ag...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-28-25)
After some needed dryness in Brazil, rain has reentered the forecast. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in South America. Harvest is officially underway in Brazil, which means that planters are also following close behind...
Finishing off an exceptionally dry and cold January
Recently, a large arctic air mass has made its way through much of the United States. This is what caused the subzero temperatures in Iowa, and it’s also what brought snow down to the Southeast. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said that, fortunately, this...
U.S. share of China’s soybean market dropped in 2024
China’s soybean imports from the United States dropped five percent in 2024 from the previous year. Reuters says, “U.S. soybean imports were replaced in the Chinese market by shipments from Brazil and Argentina as fears of a renewed trade war between China and the...
