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Neutral June WASDE report had little impact on grain prices
A few slight offsetting changes in the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report left the markets with very little to react to in Thursday’s trading session. That lines up with past years, though, as the June WASDE report is usually fairly quiet. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the changes made to the corn numbers were relatively small. McBride said the soybean numbers had offsetting changes as well. McBride said the most impactful changes in this month’s...
July weather forecast for the Midwest and Corn Belt
With July a critical month for crop growth in Iowa, growers have their eyes fixed on the latest weather forecasts in hopes of timely rains for their crops. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a cooler trend is in store for parts of the Midwest and Corn Belt to begin...
Cover Crop Business Accelerator from PFI and ISA celebrates 5 years
Practical Farmers of Iowa and the Iowa Soybean Association offer their Cover Crop Business Accelerator (CCBA) program to support cover crop adoption in the Midwest. The program is now in its fifth year, and it helps new and emerging cover crop businesses with the seed...
Class III milk futures likely to see continued choppiness
The Class III milk market has experienced significant volatility recently, with prices fluctuating and market participants seeking clear direction. Kathleen Wolfley, an agriculture broker with Ever.Ag, provided insights into the current dynamics and future outlook for...
Independence Day means so much more than a day off
Today, as most of us enjoy a day off work, we should take the time to reflect on what the 4th of July means. 248 years ago, men from across a fledgling nation sat in a small room in Philadelphia and found a way to put aside their differences and come to an mutually...
Sec Naig wraps up Dairy Month at Thelma’s
Last month was Dairy Month, and to finish off that celebration, Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig (a known dairy connoisseur) visited Thelma’s in Des Moines to tour the facility and check out their famous ice cream sandwiches. Highlighting dairy isn’t just for the month of...
USDA releases proposed FMMO updates
The USDA held a 49-day Federal Milk Marketing Order hearing and listened to hundreds of hours of testimony, which resulted in reform proposals released this week. Roger Cryan, chief economist with the American Farm Bureau, said the changes have some positives. Cryan...
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More Ag News
Biosecurity increasingly important as cattle movement rises
As we see more and more cattle movement, biosecurity is becoming increasingly important. David Shirbroun, professional services veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim, said there are several things producers can do to make sure they aren’t bringing infected cattle...
Dramatically lower wholesale and retail turkey prices
As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving dinner, shoppers are pleased with the state of turkey prices at the grocery store. That’s USDA economist Michael McConnell who says that despite affordable prices at the store, the news is not as good for turkey producers who are...
Food fight: US dietary guidelines could cut meat and potatoes
Beef groups slammed recommendations for consumers to increase their protein intake via beans, peas and lentils, calling the proposal “unhinged.” A major battle is brewing over how much red meat Americans should consume — and it has the beef industry seeing red. The...
“Culture Celebrators” have a particular affinity for pork
The Culture Celebrator is one of seven consumer segments identified in an in-depth consumer segmentation study completed by the National Pork Board. Sarah Showalter, manager of business and consumer insights at NPB, said the Culture Celebrator segment shows an...
Gaining an understanding of SCN biology
We talk extensively about Soybean Cyst Nematodes, and there is a good reason. They are a fast-moving pest located in all 99 counties in Iowa. Iowa is one of only two states in the U.S. with populations in every county. The other is Illinois. So, what else can we learn...
