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Brazilian soybean harvest underway
With a main global competitor of U.S. soybeans now beginning harvest for this year's crop, what is the outlook for Brazil’s production this season? USDA World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski provides the latest update on the Brazilian growing season. Jekanowski says the three-million-ton month over month increase in Brazilian soybean production is the biggest factor in the 3.1-million-ton rise in global production in the January WASDE report. He adds that Brazil and the United...
Previewing the November USDA Cattle on Feed report
USDA will publish the November Cattle on Feed report on Friday November 22nd at 2pm central time. The monthly report offers data on the number of cattle on feed, placements in feedlots, and marketings. At this point in 2024 many analysts had expected to see the number...
New appointments to the State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the appointment of Iowans to serve on the State Soil Conservation and Water Quality Committee. The Committee promotes the adoption of proven water quality practices and provides expert advice and input related to...
Thanksgiving dinner will be slightly cheaper, but still historically pricy
The American Farm Bureau Federation Thanksgiving Cost Survey shows the traditional ingredients in a holiday dinner will cost a little less this year. Volunteer shoppers calculated the cost of a typical Thanksgiving Day meal for ten people. Bernt Nelson, an economist...
Talking with the EPA Part 1
Last week, I attended the National Association of Farm Broadcasting annual convention in Kansas City. With so many broadcasters from all over the country, the convention was a hotbed of topics that were both regional and national in nature. One organization that would...
Food Bank of Iowa receives third annual “Meat the Need” donation
Food insecurity continues to be a problem across the state of Iowa, which means that many Iowans- some of whom might even be your neighbors- don’t have the proper access to nutritious food. As the top ag state in the country, Iowa is naturally poised to be able to...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-19-24)
The weather is shifting slightly drier in Brazil, but it’s not enough to raise any concerns yet. Argentina is still seeing great rains. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in South America. McBride said planting progress...
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Secretary Naig recognizes conservation leaders at Iowa Agribusiness Showcase
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented the Secretary’s Ag Leader Award for Conservation to two individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership and made noteworthy contributions toward improving water quality throughout Iowa. Evan Brehm, a...
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...
