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Food and ag groups call for USMCA renewal
The future of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is drawing attention from agricultural groups across North America as the trade pact approaches its required six-year review this summer. Nearly 160 organizations representing the U.S., Canadian, and Mexican food and agriculture sectors recently sent a joint letter to trade officials in all three countries urging them to renew and strengthen the agreement. The Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, launched by the National Corn Growers Association,...
Moving last of your stored crops requires some strategy
As planting is wrapping up across much of the state, our attention will soon turn back to other matters on our farm. One of those is the bins full of old crop grains that haven’t been marketed yet. If you still hold on to some uncontracted grains, you are likely...
House Ag Chairman Thompson releases 2024 Farm Bill draft
Today, House Agriculture Committee Chairman GT Thompson released a discussion draft of the 2024 Farm Bill- now named the Farm, Food, and National Security Act. The legislation includes twelve titles, covering commodities; conservation; trade; nutrition; credit; rural...
Another negative Rural Mainstreet Index during May
The Rural Mainstreet Index continued below growth neutral in May. It’s the ninth consecutive month that the survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a ten-state region stayed in the red. Dr. Ernie Goss, an economics professor at Creighton University, says one thing that...
Cattle grazing pasture and rangeland recharging from rainfall
Despite some delays to planting caused by recent rainfalls in the Corn Belt, the moisture boost has helped to recharge the soil and brought relief to many drought-stricken areas. Row crop farmers are certainly welcoming the recent rains, but what about cattle...
Two beef industry bills signed into law by Governor Reynolds
Wednesday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed two bills into law that were high priorities for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA). Showcasing the importance, a large crowd gathered at Pat and Laura Blomme’s farm to witness this notable event. The Meat Integrity Bill (S.F....
Building trust in the dairy industry through the checkoff
The dairy industry has faced some scrutiny as of late, especially as it pertains to the safety of products and H5N1, formerly known as “bird flu” and “High-Pathogenic Avian Influenza”. The United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration...
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Take the initiative against SCN during SCN Action Month
BASF Agricultural Solutions and The SCN Coalition are partnering together to recognize October as SCN Action Month for the fourth straight year. The partnership brings farmers the latest tools, research, and resources in order to effectively manage soybean cyst...
Despite crop adjustments, USDA still projects a record harvest
USDA made slight changes to its October crop production forecasts, but as expected, it still predicts record soybean and near-record corn crops. USDA Chief Economist Seth Meyer said the October crop forecasts, after adjustments, had no surprises. As for the soybean...
Grassley discusses timeline for potential new farm bill in 2025
Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that it is looking more and more likely that a new farm bill is not passed in time in 2024. With a time crunch for Congress following the presidential election in early November, and still no farm bill compromise in place, another...
U.S. corn production up while soybean production drops
Friday’s USDA Crop Production Report showed corn production is forecast at 15.2 billion bushels, up less than one percent from the previous forecast, but down one percent from last year. Soybean growers are expected to increase their production by ten percent from...
A Christmas miracle amid a September hurricane
For a few weeks, we have been focused on the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, and Georgia. We have stories of loss and destruction. The disruption of lives has been breaking our hearts and leaving us all struggling to find ways to...
