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Central Iowa farm demonstrates potential of water conservation practices
Earlier this week, the Central Iowa Clean Water Partnership hosted a field day to celebrate a new on-farm wetland at the Helland Family Farm near Madrid, Iowa. This wetland is particularly notable due to its proximity to the Des Moines metro and its ability to serve as an example to the public and other farmers. Jeff Lucas, executive director of the Iowa Agriculture Water Alliance, said a lot of the Helland Farm is designed to provide benefits downstream. Lucas said it is important to stay...
Growing season weather challenges don’t slow down Iowa soybean harvest
Morey Hill, a soybean farmer and Iowa Soybean Association board member from central Iowa, tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that he has learned through many years of farming how to tell when his soybeans are ready for harvest. His method might not be the same...
Farm financing demand edges higher
Strong agricultural prices continue to support the farm economy, but the rapid rise in production expenses could pressure profit margins. That?s pushing the demand for farm financing higher. Larger-sized operating loans are continuing to boost farm lending activity....
Why are input costs staying so high, & what is fertilizer?s future?
As the combines roll across Iowa, many producers' minds are already on the 2023 growing season. While there are many factors that go into a crop, this year a lot of folks are focused on those large dollar signs. Cost is the one factor that overreaches all of...
Vilsack announces $11.1 million investment for Crystal Freeze Dry LLC
Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced an investment of $11.1 million under the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program for Crystal Freeze Dry LLC, which will help the company expand capacity to manufacture freeze-dried egg...
Plenty of uncertainty surrounding the effects of Mexico?s 2024 ban on GMO corn
The Mexican government announced it will be phasing out GMO corn and glyphosate by 2024. Mexico is one of the largest importers of U.S. corn, so that announcement caused concern in the U.S. agricultural sector. David Widmar, an agricultural economist with Agricultural...
Tractors trending below last year?s sales, combine sales climb
In the last quarter, tractor sales are behind 2021 levels while combine sales have grown. Curt Blades, Association of Equipment Manufacturers Senior Vice President of Agriculture Services and Forestry says that the details in the sales data tell more of the...
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More Ag News
Instead of cutting costs, try investing in inputs
As the crop season gets fully underway, farmers are often thinking about profitability. But when it comes to profitability, some farmers look for ways to cut costs instead of ways to make more money. Cost cutting isn?t necessarily the best place to look, though,...
Animal disease preparedness a “must have” for farm bill
A strong farm safety net is a concern that has been voiced by nearly all areas of agriculture as a ?must have? for the 2023 Farm Bill. Livestock industry leaders say that animal disease preparedness is another "must have" for the next farm bill.Recent history is proof...
USMEF Spring Conference focusing on U.S.-Mexico trade relations
U.S.-Mexico trade relations will be one of the main topics of discussion at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference, which is set for May 24-26 in Minneapolis. Guest speaker Kenneth Smith Ramos, a former chief NAFTA negotiator for Mexico, said...
Grains anxiously watch weather while livestock is treading water
Grains took a beating last week. It was a fire sale of corn, soybeans, and wheat. The market conditions have really put pressure on this year?s crop, and there are still acres left to plant.We talk about the ?perfect storm? and what it takes to drive a market higher...
USDA previews emergency relief for agricultural producers
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program and Emergency Livestock Relief Program assistance to crop and livestock producers. The funds will help producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event during...
