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George Washington’s cherries reveal agricultural legacy
The story of George Washington and a cherry tree has long been part of American folklore. While historians have dismissed that tale as fiction, a recent discovery at Mount Vernon has revealed a very real connection between the nation's first president and the fruit he cultivated on his Virginia estate. During restoration work at Mount Vernon, archaeologists uncovered bottles of preserved cherries hidden within the mansion. The discovery quickly became more than a routine archaeological find....
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-30-24)
For the last few months, the weather has been mostly static in South America, and that trend isn’t getting bucked any time soon. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said Brazil is still seeing dry weather in its major growing areas. McBride said it’s the same...
Corn and soybeans benefitting from recent weather conditions
In many of the nation’s key corn and soybean growing regions, the last couple of weeks have been slightly dry but not too hot. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says that the recent lack of extreme heat has been beneficial for row crops during a critical portion of the...
HPAI continues to impact dairy and poultry industries
The current outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which traces all the way back to 2022, is unusual in not only the fact that it’s infecting dairy cattle, but also that cases are continuing to be diagnosed in the warmer summer months. Bernt Nelson, an...
USDA extends comment period on packers and stockyards rule
The USDA recently extended the 60-day comment period for the latest Packers and Stockyards Act proposal by 15 days. Tanner Beymer, senior director of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, says that’s not enough time for USDA to properly...
Tips to earn top dollar at cattle auctions
It doesn’t matter whether cattle prices are high or low, producers want to make sure that they can do all they can to bring a quality animal to auction. When you can raise a quality animal, you can get the most money possible at an auction, especially when your animal...
Malaysia emerging as a promising destination for U.S. pork
U.S. pork exports to Malaysia have gained significant momentum in recent months, due in part to the impact of African swine fever on domestic production and tightening supplies of European pork. While Malaysia is a predominantly Muslim country, the non-Muslim portion...
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More Ag News
Iowa Cattlemen continuing to push for better farm bill
At this point, it is very likely that the 2018 farm bill will get extended for another year. This is not what the ag industry was hoping for, but that doesn't mean that the battle is over. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO Bryan Whaley said the ag industry needs to...
Informing the influencers of pork consumers
Pork producers are great at telling their stories to each other, but the focus needs to be on the consumer. The National Pork Board recently invited a social media influencer and avid cook from Los Angeles to a farm to see how pigs are raised. Morgan Wonderly, NPB...
Soybean oil exports remain strong
The USDA published the December World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates this week and made just one change to the domestic soybean balance sheet. A 60-cent month over month decrease in the season ending average price with the price now at $10.20 per bushel....
Judge blocks rule strengthening protections for temporary farmworkers nationwide
The regulation, which grants organizing and safety protections to H-2A visa holders, had already been overturned in a number of states. A federal court blocked a rule strengthening legal protections for temporary farmworkers from going into effect nationwide. The U.S....
Hemmes reflects on time on United Soybean Board (Part 1)
The best promotion we can ask for is the word of those in the fields and feedlots across our country, advocating for the producers. Telling the first-hand story of the American farmer resonates with our customers domestically and internationally. As the second largest...
