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Iowa Farm Act focuses on taxes and practical ag policy
As the 2026 legislative session gets underway, Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the Iowa Farm Act is designed to do more than outline future priorities. The proposal also takes aim at barriers that have made it harder for farmers and agribusinesses to operate, particularly when it comes to tax policy and regulatory complexity. Naig says many of the tax-related provisions in the Iowa Farm Act are intended to elevate issues that producers have raised repeatedly, while also acknowledging...
Dry weather forecasted to stick around in Iowa
While the temperatures have been enjoyable lately, the lack of rainfall has been anything but. After experiencing the driest September on record, drought and fire dangers have increased. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said that the drought monitor has...
Dairy market volatility not that surprising
It’s been an up and down ride for the dairy markets lately. Mike North of Ever.ag says there are a lot of reasons behind the price volatility. North says price volatility is not unusual to see at this point in the calendar. He says demand for dairy tends to spike...
East and Gulf Coast ports reopen as strike temporarily ends
On Thursday, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) released a joint statement announcing a temporary end to the work stoppage that shut down the East and Gulf Coast ports earlier in the week. U.S. Meat Export...
Lame duck session seen as last chance to save farm bill
The legislation that would set food and farm policy for the next five years is in limbo, waiting for lawmakers to decide its fate after the election. The latest deadline for the Farm Bill passed unceremoniously at midnight on Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to...
2025 Farmer’s Almanac has something for everyone
We have seen it on shelves in various stores for years. The Farmer’s Almanac has a devoted following of people who read it and take its information to heart. Many believe that the information contained is the best estimate of what we can expect throughout the year. It...
U.S. Export Sales Report (10-3-24)
This is the time of year where we expect export sales to surge, and this week’s report has shown exactly that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers from the USDA. Even though those sales indicate that the USDA doesn’t need to...
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Practical Farmers of Iowa supporting cover crop businesses
For many years, farmers have learned about the benefits of cover crops on their farms. There are plenty of cover crop seed and application businesses to help farmers utilize cover crops, but those businesses can be tough to run and develop, especially if the owners...
Second Trump administration could bring change to trade relations
Will a second administration of President Donald Trump bring progress on trade negotiations with key global partners? U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said exporters will be watching discussions with all trading partners, but...
Senate Majority Leader Thune sets out priorities, including farm bill
New Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated his priorities for Senate lawmakers, including a new farm bill, as the 119th Congress takes office to begin 2025. Thune says his rural upbringing led him to value the land, agriculture, and the importance of...
Ethanol production grows for fourth consecutive week
The Energy Information Administration says ethanol production averaged 1.111 million barrels a day during the week ending on December 27. This was the fourth consecutive week-over-week increase, up from 1.107 million barrels a day during the prior week. In the...
It looks like corn will be crop of choice in 2025
The new year has started, and there is no shortage of insights into what might happen in the 2025 U.S. growing season. Farmers make their decisions based on the markets and the outlook for their crops and livestock. That being said, we are in a situation that has many...
