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Keeping pigs cool during hot summer months
During the hot Iowa summer months, it is highly important for swine producers to protect their pigs from heat stress in order to maintain their health and productivity. Mark Oberreuter, ag engineer at Automated Production, said pigs are just as susceptible to heat stress as any other animals. Oberreuter said that farmers should prioritize the fans in their confinements and make sure they are moving enough air to keep the pigs safe from the heat. Oberreuter said air inlets are also effective at...
U.S. Dairy supports U.S. Government?s pursuit of full Canadian USMCA compliance
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) today applauded the Biden administration for its initiation of a second U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) dispute panel concerning Canada?s ongoing refusal to meet its USMCA dairy...
Input prices, drought impacting cattle markets
The landscape of the 2022 cattle market is changing, and there are several issues with it. Bernt Nelson, American Farm Bureau Federation Economist, says the biggest factors in the cattle market are inventory, drought, and input costs.?USDA?s Annual Cattle Inventory...
High gas prices have Washington full of ?answers?
You don?t have to go far to see what oil companies hope you will accept as the new normal. Gas prices are up around $4 a gallon in Iowa, and higher on the coasts. It is hitting everyone in the wallets. It affects all of our budgets in different ways, but mostly...
Farmers need to scout for armyworm in corn and wheat
If it isn?t one thing, it is another. In a year where we must get every bushel squeezed from our fields, we don?t have any room for error. One cornbelt entomologist is seeing signs and conditions that point to some armyworm infestations possibly springing up in...
IDALS working to better water quality in Iowa
When we discuss water quality, we talk about all the efforts it takes to make improvements. However, these improvements aren?t cheap, and they have to be profitable for producers and cities to survive. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is...
Governor?s Charity Steer Show prepares for 40th anniversary
The Governor?s Charity Steer Show will return this year, and they?ve reached yet another milestone, with 2022 marking the 40th anniversary of the charity event. The opening ceremony will take place this Friday, and both the Iowa Cattlemen?s Association (ICA) and the...
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More Ag News
Preparing for planting season by planning ahead
2022 was at the very least a challenging year for many farmers because of the uncertainty.Farmers and producers encountered a weather pattern that was not consistent. Dan Berning, agronomy manager with Pioneer, says that weather was not uniform for farmers, but many...
Rural job growth shifting to high-skill workers
Over the last two decades, the strongest rural job gains were in smaller industries that tend to employ high-skill workers. USDA Economic Research Service reports the highest growth was in the real estate industry. Also showing rapid growth was the administrative...
Farming more efficiently through the use of data collection
Efficiency of farm operations has come into focus for farmers. With input costs high, farmers and producers are eager to use those inputs as efficiently as possible.Stephen Leininger, an AGRIntelligence Information Specialist with Helena, says that farmers are always...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-17-23)
More rain in the forecast for Argentina means they?re finally getting close to the end of planting season. On the other hand, the fabulous weather in Brazil has produced an enormous crop, which is stirring excitement in South America as Brazilian harvest begins....
Social Security increase followed by increase in scams
The Social Security increase for 2023 is welcome news for seniors, but it?s already being followed by an increase in scam attempts. Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income payments are increasing 8.7 percent in 2023. This is the annual cost-of-living...
