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Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a trend of employment growth with recovery of jobs following the pandemic. Farrigan says the period from 2020-2023 saw a steep growth of employment but adds that the .6% growth from 2023-2024 was in line with expectations. Farrigan...
Former FSA Administrator heading back to D.C.
Missouri farmer Richard Fordyce is adding more to his wealth of ag industry experience and heading back to Washington, D.C., as the newly appointed Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation. He served in the first Trump administration as the Farm Service...
FMMO rule changes: what dairy producers should know
Recent updates to the Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) rules are set to bring significant changes for dairy producers nationwide. These new regulations aim to address evolving market dynamics, improve pricing structures, and enhance fairness in milk distribution....
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-21-25)
Some drier weather conditions have entered South America, which is partially responsible for the leap in market prices that we saw today. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the current weather patterns. That dry weather is allowing harvest in...
Upcoming beef reports will signify market trends
While U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers have seen high prices for their livestock, that does translate to increased cost for the consumer. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there are several upcoming reports that will tell us if...
Potential Canada and Mexico import tariffs and their impact on ag trade
As President Trump takes office for his second term, policy decisions are being made across Washington D.C. that will have wide reaching impacts in the world of agricultural trade. On Monday President Trump announced he is considering enacting 25% tariffs on Canada...
Trump names USDA Undersecretary Nominees
President-elect Donald Trump has announced a slate of undersecretary nominees for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Via social media, Trump announced that he will nominate Richard Fordyce as Agriculture undersecretary for farm production and conservation; Dudley...
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Applications open for PFI’s 2025 N Rate Risk Protection Program
Farmers who are on the fence about reducing nitrogen applications might want to consider enrolling in the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s N Rate Risk Protection Program. The program is designed to help farmers reduce their input costs while also protecting the local...
U.S. economy facing uncertainty as tariff reactions continue
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will levy a tariff on all American-made vehicles that are not compliant with the USMCA and that those Canadian counter-tariffs will match tariffs put on Canada’s auto industry. This Canadian measure follows...
NCBA reacts to reciprocal tariff announcement from President Trump
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House on Wednesday: “For too long, America’s...
Sec. Rollins calls on Congress to pass a Farm Bill
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says farmers and ranchers need a new five-year farm bill in 2025. It has failed now to get through Congress the last two times under the Biden administration, and it is a very, very big priority of mine, Rollins said Monday. But she says...
State Ag Directors work to address industry challenges
Farmers and the agricultural industry are facing an overwhelming amount of uncertainty, with challenges coming from every direction. From unpredictable weather patterns and fluctuating market prices to labor shortages and evolving regulations, it often feels like the...
