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U.S. Cattle Inventory Report preview
USDA is set to publish the U.S. Cattle Inventory Report on Friday. The report will update the numbers of the size of the U.S. beef cattle herd. Dr. Derrell Peel, a livestock market economist for Oklahoma State University, says the numbers could show that the industry may finally be reaching the end of its liquidation phase. He says that there may be signs of growth in the replacement category, but the numbers are not expected to be significant. Peel adds that the number of feeder cattle in the...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-12-25)
The one surprise- if you can even call it that- from the February WASDE report was the cut to some of the production numbers for Brazil and Argentina. At this point, some of the major growing areas have received too much rain. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride...
USTR pick Greer says US must diversify trade markets
President Trump’s United States Trade Representative pick, Jamieson Greer, says the US must become less reliant on China for its farm and other exports. China remains among the top three export markets for US farm goods, but its tariff and non-tariff barriers and...
Keeping an eye on Mississippi River water levels
Grain shippers and farmers are keeping an eye on the water levels in the Mississippi River. Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, said water levels have been a consistent challenge to shipping grains for the last few years. The...
USDA data confirms agritourism is saving some family farms
The latest Census of Agriculture from the USDA, conducted in 2022, is beginning to reveal hard data on the benefits of agritourism for family farms. The numbers confirm what many farmers have experienced firsthand diversifying into agritourism is helping sustain their...
Few changes made in February WASDE
Not much was expected from this month’s WASDE report. However, it still managed to be quiet even by those standards. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said they were looking for slight reductions to the U.S. balance sheet, but no changes were made. The only...
Speaking up for a new farm bill
With no shortage of issues facing farmers and ranchers right now, the House Ag Committee recently heard testimony from a panel of producers. Alisha Schwertner, a Texas cotton farmer, said there was one important message she hoped to pass on to the committee....
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More Ag News
Farmers will use new Xitavo soybean genetics in 2025
Farmers will be able to use new genetics in their Xitavo soybean seeds this year from BASF. Prior to this growing season, only four companies comprised 98% of the soybean breeding industry. Bill Backhaus, BASF soybean agronomist, said the new genetics are exclusive to...
Spring showers supplying beneficial rainfall this week
It has already been an active weather week in Iowa with rain showers and storms across the state to begin the seven-day stretch. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says the active weather pattern is good news for pasture and rangeland and spring planted crops. Showers...
USGC: Value of ag exports passes $28 billion
The U.S. Grains Council updated its Value of Grains Exports study with the latest available information about the financial benefits of ag exports to communities around the country. “The value of export markets for the U.S. agricultural industry cannot be understated...
The continuous fight for clarity on WOTUS
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is asking the Environmental Protection Agency for changes to the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS). David Schilling, AFBF public policy counsel, said the group wants the rule brought in line with the Sackett v. EPA Supreme...
Double-check who has access to your farm’s data
As the agricultural industry continues to evolve rapidly, data has become a cornerstone for refining strategies and improving outcomes year after year. From crop planning to equipment optimization, insights derived from data are shaping the future of farming. However,...
