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R-CALF says imports hinder herd growth
The U.S. cattle herd remains at its lowest level in decades, leaving beef supplies historically tight and raising questions about when producers will begin expanding their herds. While economists often point to cattle prices, forage conditions, and producer profitability as key factors in rebuilding the herd, R-CALF USA says trade policy and imported beef also play a significant role. R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard says the United States has steadily increased its reliance on imported beef over...
An update on the status of H5N1 in the swine industry
The effects of H5N1 are still being felt across the livestock industry, even though it has mostly fell out of public focus. While there has been only one minor detection of H5N1 in U.S. swine, the industry is still prepared in the event of an outbreak. Dr. Marisa...
U.S. agriculture is leery of RFK Jr.’s policies
Many promises have been made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy, Jr., but few have been delivered on yet. The Make America Healthy Again Commission is being closely watched by American agriculture as it issues a widely anticipated report. Bill...
Inaugural statewide Choose Iowa farm store crawl set for June 21-22
On Wednesday Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the inaugural statewide Choose Iowa Farm Store Crawl which will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 21-22. The two-day event will also coincide with the Iowa Barn Foundation's (IBF) Spring Barn Tour in Cedar...
GROWMARK announces 2025 scholarship winners
Fifty-five students have been selected to receive scholarships totaling $2,000 each through the GROWMARK Foundation. Nearly 805 students from across the United States and Ontario, Canada, applied for the scholarships. Students who received scholarships will have those...
Naig outlines ag priorities, skips governor race
Since Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced last month that she would not seek reelection, speculation about her potential successors has quickly intensified, particularly within the Republican Party. The field is already starting to take shape, with 4th District U.S....
Using adjuvants to optimize herbicide activity
On Monday the state of Iowa was hit with widespread thunderstorms that delivered considerable rainfall to large swaths of the state. Before the storms however, a one-to-two-week window of favorable weather conditions allowed growers to get a lot of seed in the ground...
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More Ag News
Ag land market remains resilient
Despite ongoing challenges, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025. According to the Farmers National Company, the resilience is mainly driven by simple supply and demand; there are more motivated buyers than willing sellers. While...
Iowa’s young exhibitors show agriculture’s future is strong
Each year at the Iowa State Fair, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show draws crowds eager to see outstanding cattle and the young people who raise them. The event pairs youth exhibitors with celebrities and other Iowa leaders, all in support of the Ronald McDonald House...
August WASDE threw a curveball at the corn markets
With trade uncertainty on the minds of many farmers, the USDA threw the corn market a curveball. The August WASDE report gave farmers and ranchers across the country an interesting look into how production might look this fall. Faith Parum, an economist with the...
449 Century and Heritage Farm families honored at the 2025 Iowa State Fair
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson honored 449 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same...
Crops are promising, but yields need to be protected
The recent WASDE report from the USDA confirmed that this year’s crops have great potential. Now, it’s important for farmers to keep a close eye on their crops and do whatever they can to realize those potential yields. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service...
