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Rain has defined the 2026 crop year in Iowa
As the Pro Farmer Crop Tour traveled across the Midwest, many reports came in of dry crop conditions and lower yields. That was not the case for the Iowa leg of the tour, though, as yields were actually higher due to significant rains, especially in the eastern and central parts of the state. Steve Wilkens of BASF said rain was variable across the Corn Belt. Wilkens said excess rain can promote common diseases like white mold and sudden death syndrome in soybeans. Wilkens said they’ve done a...
Grassley discusses the USMCA ahead of July 1st review
Last week President Trump said that he does not plan to renew USMCA (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) ahead of its mandatory July 1 review. On Tuesday United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the president’s comments and whether Grassley and other...
U.S. Senators call for more action against NWS
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is urging the USDA to take additional steps to contain the growing New World Screwworm outbreak in the U.S. The lawmakers, led by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, sent a letter to USDA expressing concern about the threat the...
USDA reports mixed red meat exports for April
USDA data release compiled by the U.S Meat Export Federation (USMEF) seemed encouraging for U.S. pork exports as a strong momentum was maintained throughout April. USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom reports an 8% increase in pork exports consequent to the growth in...
George Washington’s cherries reveal agricultural legacy
The story of George Washington and a cherry tree has long been part of American folklore. While historians have dismissed that tale as fiction, a recent discovery at Mount Vernon has revealed a very real connection between the nation's first president and the fruit he...
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...
June soybean outlook from USDA features small changes
The June WASDE report is typically moved on from quickly because of the importance of the reports at the end of the month. On June 30th the USDA will release the Planted Acreage and Quarterly Grain Stocks reports which will have the potential to move the markets...
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Practice food safety during Independence Day celebrations
The Fourth of July weekend means a lot of grills firing up for holiday meals. Don’t forget the importance of food safety when cooking on a grill. Meredith Carrothers, technical information specialist with the Food Safety and Inspection Service, talked about the...
When rebuilding the herd, quality must be the focus
For the Angus cattle industry, business has been very good recently. Casey Jentz, Chief Operating Officer at the American Angus Association, says that Angus currently have 80 percent of the market share in the commercial space. He adds that if Angus ranchers could...
Promoting pork for today’s tastes
Driving pork demand and swine health remain top priorities for newly-elected National Pork Board President Chad Groves. He mentioned the importance of the “Taste What Pork Can Do®” campaign in promoting pork consumption and acknowledged the industry’s commitment to...
Ag groups react to first USMCA review
American agricultural groups reacted to the U.S., Mexico, and Canada launching the first joint review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. “Getting USMCA right matters enormously to our industry, which ships more than 40 percent of all U.S. dairy exports by value to...
Agriculture helps tell America’s story
As Americans celebrate Independence Day and the nation's 250th anniversary, it's an opportunity to reflect on the people, industries, and values that have helped shape the country over the past two and a half centuries. For Iowa, agriculture has long been one of the...
