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USDA finalizes specialty crop assistance program details
The USDA announced it has finalized the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, announced late last year. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the funds are part of the USDA’s broader Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The assistance is available to farmers who planted specialty crops in 2025 and reported those acres to the Farm Service Agency. Munch said the USDA is already preparing pre-filled applications for eligible farmers. For more information,...
Iowa crop progress and condition report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and...
NK soybeans striving for “versatility and consistency” in 2024
Each year more Midwestern farmers are adopting the practice of early soybean planting. When conditions allow for early planting, farmers are opting to plant soybeans earlier in the hopes of eventual increased yields. However, during a tricky planting season like the...
Ernst discusses latest biofuels developments
Yesterday, we shared the thoughts of Growth Energy’s Emily Skor about the state of things in the ethanol sector. One of the things that she mentioned she was most concerned about was what she perceived to be the waning support of lawmakers to find a permanent solution...
Finding profits in tight profit margins
Profit margins are always tight for farmers, with some years feeling tighter than others. However, there’s almost always a way to look through those margins and find the best profit levels possible. Chad Hart, Iowa State University professor of economics and ISU...
First quarter of 2024 sees phenomenal pork exports
The U.S. Meat Export Federation says March exports of U.S. pork were steady with last year’s volume but were slightly higher in value, according to data released by USDA. Kelli Wicks, manager of market growth for the National Pork Board, said diversification has been...
NCBA official outlines difficult final stretch for farm bill
House Ag Chair GT Thompson has set a May 23rd markup date for his GOP farm bill proposal, but there is still a long road ahead for the proposal. NCBA’s Executive Director of Government Affairs Allison Rivera says she is encouraged that House Ag Chair GT Thompson has...
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U.S. Export Sales Report (10-10-24)
The positive trend for export sales continued with another great report from the USDA. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. While flash sales have also been consistent, McBride said they’ve also been pretty minor. McBride also...
Farm to School month educates students on agriculture
October is National Farm to School month, when schools and farmers alike can celebrate the fresh foods grown by local farmers and served to local students. Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said a recent grant...
Animal disease traceability rule coming in November
The U.S. cattle industry will have a new level of disease protection next month when USDA’s enhanced animal disease traceability rule takes effect. Rapid response to an animal disease outbreak is the aim of the new USDA traceability rule, with its visual checks and...
Secretary Naig announces the establishment of the farm deer advisory council
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the establishment of the Farm Deer Advisory Council within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and appointed seven Iowa farmers to serve on it. A similar Iowa Farm Deer Council previously...
Hurricane Milton will directly affect fertilizer production in the U.S.
Yesterday we talked about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While there was a lot of damage to agriculture and farms in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, there wasn't a lot of effect on the industry nationwide. It looks like this time around, that will change....
