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U.S. Export Sales Report (1-8-26)
Now that the USDA is caught up on export sales, we can go back to focusing on weekly reports. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said this week’s corn numbers slipped slightly, but that just means they are more normal for this time of year. McBride said the soybean sales are still short of the USDA’s goals, but that isn’t due to a lack of purchasing from China. Looking ahead to next week, the markets usually expect to see bigger changes in the January WASDE report. However, McBride said...
Harvest corn early to increase yields and profits
With harvest underway, a key decision is how long to let corn dry in the field. Greg Trame, regional sales director for GSI, said recent research demonstrated that harvesting early can help farmers maximize their yield and return on investment. Trame said a recent...
Grassley says he can’t accept pre-conferenced lame duck farm bill
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he and others can’t accept a ‘slap-dab’ farm bill in a lame-duck session, while another has called for a long-term extension and short-term relief amid a bleak farm economy. Iowa GOP Senator Chuck Grassley says a...
EPA finalizes rule on pesticide exclusion zones
The Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule to restore the pesticide Application Exclusion Zone requirements under the 2015 Agricultural Worker Protection Standard. The AEZ is an area surrounding outdoor pesticide application equipment where people are...
NICC is preparing students for the future of agriculture & dairy
Farming is an industry that survives via succession. The participation of multiple generations is what is needed to keep a farm operating for years to come. Beyond the farm, there are so many Ag-related fields that offer support to farming operations each day. Ag...
Dry conditions mean an enhanced risk for field fires
This year’s harvest is looking to be a bumper crop, and the drier weather conditions have allowed farmers to work mostly unimpeded. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said most farmers in his area are very happy with their yields. This has officially been the...
Fall flavors go well with pork
As the weather cools, pork is perfect for pairing with the most popular fall flavors. Charlie Torgerson, contractor and channel marketing development brand manager for the National Pork Board, talks about some of the perfect options. Torgerson said there are several...
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More Ag News
45Z Tax credits could compete with 2017 tax cuts for funding
45Z clean fuel tax credits, which are key to expanding renewable fuel use in aviation fuel, may have to compete for dollars with President-elect Trump’s efforts to preserve his 2017 tax cuts. Will there be a so-far un-finalized 45Z tax credit for sustainable aviation...
East and gulf coast port strike seems more likely
Shippers want to know if there will be a strike because there’s less than a month until the International Longshoremen Association’s contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance is set to expire. Supply Chain Dive says a major development in the prolonged negotiations...
U.S. Export Sales Report (1-3-25)
In the first report for 2025, this week’s export sales were disappointing compared to expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest U.S. Export Sales Report. McBride said the exports usually see a seasonal decline at the beginning...
Agriculture still depends on H-2A labor
Demand continues growing for farm labor through the H-2A program. John Walt Boatright, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said that even though the increase in positions certified was small, it still demonstrates how important the...
Producers shouldn’t see changes to H5N1 programs in Trump 2.0
As we prepare for a new administration later this month, vital programs across the board will likely be reviewed, tweaked, or even dropped once President Trump takes office. However, there are programs that farmers work with that they can’t afford to lose or have...
