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AFBF sets 2026 policies at 107th convention
The American Farm Bureau Federation delegate session adopted a number of policy priorities for 2026. AFBF President Zippy Duvall says the farmer and rancher delegates covered a wide range of issues. Delegates also requested the AFBF Board of Directors analyze issues like the impact of tariffs and the lack of affordable insurance for poultry farmers. Duvall said the beauty of the policy process is it starts at the county level. Duvall said that Farm Bureau had another fantastic annual...
BASF providing farmers with more tools to grow successful crops
Nobody in the state of Iowa would describe 2024 as normal. While it gave us more moisture than in years past, it also gave us a very dry second half of the year, which opened the door to different diseases and pests. The best we can do is learn from the lessons...
Benson Hill innovating while getting back to their roots
As harvest comes to a close, many companies are reviewing the performances of their seed products for the 2024 crop year. At Benson Hill, they’re also going back to their roots and reintroducing some of the former parts of their portfolio. Aaron Robinson, vice...
Pork industry navigating the changing regulatory environment
The political winds in Washington D.C. are shifting after the November elections, what does that mean for policy as it affects the pork industry? Lori Stevermer is the President of the National Pork Producers Council and she says that with government leadership...
Mississippi River low during harvest for third straight year
The Mississippi River is experiencing an unwelcome three-peat with low water levels during harvest season. The “Mighty Mississip” experienced low water in both 2022 and 2023 and now once again this harvest season. Charts from the U.S. Geological Survey show...
Plenty of uncertainty in ag economy heading into 2025
2024 has been challenging for farmers and the agricultural sector. Dave Widmar, economist and managing partner with Agricultural Economic Insights, said 2024 has been full of twists and turns. Widmar said there have also been changes in the overall U.S. economy. While...
What is the outlook for meat exports in 2025?
We have had a solid year, once again, for red meat exports in 2024. Many folks are working hard behind the scenes to sustain and strengthen our existing markets and putting the same efforts into cultivating new trade opportunities around the globe. The U.S. Meat...
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U.S. red meat exports thrived in 2024
Exports of U.S. pork eclipsed previous highs in both volume and value in 2024, according to year-end data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef export value climbed 5% from 2023 despite a slight decrease in volume, as unit...
Early season weed control in corn
Having clean fields as corn plants emerge will get the crop off to the best possible start. Phil Krieg, an agronomy service representative with Syngenta, says early-season weeds fundamentally alter corn growth from the very beginning of the growing season. Krieg...
Expanding the reach of the National FFA Organization
FFA alum Aaron Wetzel recently took over as the 2025 Chairman of the National FFA Sponsors’ Board. Wetzel is the Vice President of Production and Precision Agriculture with John Deere, where he’s spent over 35 years. Wetzel said technological curiosity will be a big...
Farm sector profits to grow in 2025
USDA’s Economic Research Service forecasts inflation-adjusted U.S. net cash farm income, defined as gross cash income minus cash expenses, to increase by $30.6 billion from 2024 to $193.7 billion in 2025. U.S. net farm income, a broader measure of farm sector...
Iowa cannot take foot off the pedal pushing for year-round E15
Iowa has led the way in securing year-round access to E-15 for eight midwestern states, but the fight isn’t over—we must continue pushing to make it permanent nationwide. Expanding E-15 access across the country strengthens our rural economy, lowers fuel costs, and...
