Top Stories
Swine producers taking advantage of strong economic factors
The swine industry has seen some rough times in recent years, but now things are finally feeling much better. When hog prices are good, it’s smart to look at ways to improve your operation while also keeping those profits intact. Chris Ford, vice president of swine lending at Farm Credit Services of America, said swine producers are enjoying the benefits of strong consumer demand. Ford said he has seen producers lock in their profits while still leaving room to participate in potential price...
Over 500 organizations unite for new farm bill
The American Farm Bureau Federation, along with 529 other organizations, urged lawmakers to prioritize programs that benefit all American families, emphasizing that they are too important to delay any further. Joe Gilson, the director of congressional relations for...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-25-24)
As we approach the end of the marketing year, the export sales have picked up a little bit. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an analysis of the latest numbers from the USDA. While it’s good to see sales like this, especially for soybeans, McBride said it...
Defense Department backs off lab-grown meat
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association confirmed that the effort to prevent ultra-processed, lab-grown protein in the diet of the American armed forces was successful. The announcement came following news that the U.S. Department of Defense is not pursuing...
HPAI/H5N1 update from Secretary Naig
Whether you call it “bird flu”, “High-Path Avian Influenza”, or “H5N1” we have been watching this disease move about the country in birds and dairy cattle. Iowa has not been spared, but we haven’t gotten the brunt of it either. We get a full update from Iowa Ag...
CSIF releases 2024 Iowa Agriculture Economic Contribution Study
Iowa has continued to be a national and global leader in agriculture, holding the number one spot in the production of hogs, corn, and eggs. This obviously has a huge impact on the state’s economy, which was clearly shown in the 2024 Iowa Agriculture Economic...
Pork and Partners unlocks health and wellness resources
The Pork and Partners Community is dedicated to supporting health care professionals by offering a range of valuable resources. These resources include free continuing education opportunities, exciting events, featured recipes, evidence-based handouts, and...
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More Ag News
Soybean meal exports set a new record
U.S. soy remains America’s number one agricultural export, adding $31.2 billion to the U.S. economy in marketing year 2023-2024. Total soy export volumes were down from the prior year at 60.8 million metric tons, partly due to fewer carry-in stocks and the expansion...
EPA working on outreach with Farmers
Frequently, we find ourselves scratching our heads about AG’s relationship with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). More often than not, regulations and interpretations of their authority have ended up in the country's courtrooms. It’s been a strained...
A surprisingly active December WASDE report to end the calendar year
The December WASDE report, which is normally rather tame, was surprisingly active this time around. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the numbers were almost definitively bullish for this month’s report. When you consider the fantastic demand for U.S....
Extension professionals getting their boots dirty to support farmers
The National Pork Board’s Swine Extension and Outreach Professionals Group is made up of university professors and-or extension professionals at U.S. colleges and universities. Sarah Schieck-Boelke, swine extension educator at the University of Minnesota, says this...
Grassley sees improved farm bill chances in next Congress
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that a new Congress and unified party control should improve the chances of a new five-year farm bill in 2025. Grassley says that hardline GOP budget hawks in the House had an excuse this year not to give the Speaker...
