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Rural Energy Council is a “disgrace”
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was very unhappy after it was announced that a legislative fix for year-round E15 was dropped from the January government funding bill. It was further incensed that Congress would instead form a “rural energy council” to formulate another compromise bill with petroleum interests, and with expectations for a vote in February. “What an incredible travesty as Congress picked refiners over American farmers and drivers today,” said...
New President, same ag issues persist
As President Trump begins another term, America’s agricultural sector faces critical challenges that demand urgent attention. Farmers and ranchers are grappling with labor shortages, trade disputes, and rising costs—issues that have persisted for far too long. These...
Foot-and-mouth disease in Germany could impact pork trade
Despite a 25% decline in production over the past decade, Germany remains a global leader in pork exports, particularly to the rest of the European Union. However, a recent detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a water buffalo herd at a small exotic farm near...
Beef supplies tightening, how will that impact prices?
USDA released its latest publication for beef production year over year and the report provides indications regarding steer price projections for 2025. That is World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski who says the lack of cattle being imported from...
Hundreds of ag groups write Senators backing USDA Secretary Nominee Rollins
Last week, 427 national and state agricultural groups and agribusinesses sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee supporting Brooke Rollins' nomination as Agriculture Secretary and calling on the committee and entire Senate to "promptly...
Updated poultry tournament rule provides needed transparency
The USDA issued a final poultry tournament rule under the Packers & Stockyards Act this week. The American Farm Bureau Federation calls this new rule a step in the right direction. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy with AFBF, said the rule includes...
Purina enhances value-added cattle support for rancher success
With cattle markets at historically high levels, producers have a unique opportunity to fine-tune their herd's nutrition and health programs without worrying about it negatively impacting their bottom line. Now is the perfect time to reassess and update plans for the...
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Trump imposes reciprocal tariffs on trading partners
President Trump recently announced reciprocal tariffs on a sweeping list of U.S. trading partners. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said there are two sets of tariffs to keep in mind. Salmonsen said tariffs...
U.S. Export Sales Report (4-3-25)
Since this week’s U.S. Export Sales Report looks at the prior week for export numbers, we haven’t seen the impact of the renewed tariffs yet. However, the current market prices are absolutely reacting to that news. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an...
Reinventing pork for the future
Taste What Pork Can Do™ is the new tagline set to launch with consumers in May digitally. Gordon Spronk, a National Pork Board member from Minnesota, says pork promotion started in 1985, but the focus of the new campaign is to reach consumers by concentrating on...
Oil and biofuel coalition meets with EPA
A coalition of U.S. oil and biofuel groups met with the Environmental Protection Agency this week to push for higher federal mandates for biomass diesel blending. Three sources familiar with the plans told Reuters that the EPA meeting may signal that the agency is...
Secretary Rollins pushes for USDA focus and reform
The nation is sharply divided over the role of the newly empowered Department of Government Efficiency, with fierce party-line battles over its true purpose. Critics argue that it has become a political weapon, wielded to justify what they see as the systematic...
