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...
Real Pork Trust Consortium brings information to consumers
The Real Pork Trust Consortium is a team of academia striving to listen to and answer consumer questions about pork and pork production. Nick Gabler, an animal science professor at Iowa State University, talked about the Real Pork Consortium and what it addresses. The...
Cattle on feed report offers no clear answers on herd contraction
Overall numbers of beef cattle in the United States remain historically low. The USDA published the latest Cattle on Feed report on Friday but the report did not clear up the future of the cattle herd. The latest Cattle on Feed report from USDA shows that placements...
Low prices continue pressure on farm income
Farmers are on track to harvest some of their biggest corn and soybean crops ever. The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book says the ongoing decline in commodity prices is putting farm income in questionable territory. “Regional Fed banks in Chicago and Minneapolis say the...
Managing stressors for dairy calves
Any livestock producer knows herd health doesn’t begin or end with the germs and bacteria causing illnesses. It is about creating an environment that manages your animal’s overall well-being. Just like humans, stressors can affect an animal's health, and minimizing...
How high can steer prices climb?
Despite very low overall numbers of beef cattle in the country, United States beef producers have continued to produce more beef than analysts expected. Here is USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer. That contraction taking place from 2024 to 2025. Meyer continues by saying...
Pork producers make a big impact in international markets
The U.S. Red Meat Symposium took place in Mexico City last month. Pat Bane, board member of the National Pork Board, said they toured different types of consumer markets. Bane visited Mexico City to represent U.S. Pork at the US Meat Export Federation inaugural event....
Video
More Ag News
CLAAS innovating its forage technology to celebrate 50 years
This year marks 50 years of the CLAAS JAGUAR forage harvester, and they have spent the year celebrating by continuing to innovate. Next year will bring even more improvements, with an earlage adapter and an enhanced chopping drum. Daryl Theis, head of sales and...
How long will this time of low crop profit margins continue?
USDA is projecting that 2024 will be the second straight year of falling crop prices and slim profits. How long should farmers expect this trend to continue? USDA Chief economist Seth Meyer says that to break out of this negative pattern, the United States ag markets...
John Deere announces more Iowa layoffs
John Deere has another round of layoffs scheduled at its plant in Iowa. The facility in Waterloo Works, Iowa, is the company’s largest plant. The state’s Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, website says the company will lay off more than 100...
House hearing focuses on improper labeling of dairy products
The Food and Drug Administration performs the critical task of providing consumers with clear nutritional information by enforcing labeling standards, but there is still work to be done on the misuse of terms on labels. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin said she’s...
Settling into a long-term period of low commodity prices
It’s no surprise to you that market prices for grains are low. They’re nowhere near what we enjoyed a few years ago. Many factors are driving this situation, but understanding them doesn’t necessarily make it any easier. The main question I Have been hearing farmers...
