Top Stories
Latin America offers new export opportunities
Latin America continues to present new opportunities for U.S. ethanol exports, with established markets remaining strong and several countries expanding their use of biofuels. Marri Tejada, regional director for Latin America with the U.S. Grains and BioProducts Council, said countries with ethanol blending mandates and limited domestic production are creating new demand for U.S. exports. While Colombia remains the region's largest market for U.S. ethanol, Tejada said Guatemala represents one...
Protecting your pasture cattle from parasites
Parasites will be close by when cattle are out on pasture. Good pasture management and a strategic deworming protocol can limit the chances of parasites affecting the efficiency and performance of your beef herd. Dr. D.L Step, a professional services veterinarian with...
Lower domestic cattle inventory to start the year
USDA’s first Cattle Inventory report for 2025 reflects a year over year decrease says USDA livestock analyst Mike McConnell. The overall herd size continues to contract with numbers remaining very low, but McConnell says that there are some interesting takeaways from...
Secretary Naig launches the Choose Iowa butchery innovation grant program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant program. Small-scale meat processors and custom lockers are encouraged to submit proposals to expand meat processing capacity within Iowa. This grant is...
Strong U.S. red meat presence at Tokyo’s Yakiniku Business Fair
With support from USDA, the Beef Checkoff Program and the United Soybean Board, U.S. beef and pork were showcased at the Yakiniku Business Fair in Tokyo, one of the most important annual trade shows for Japan’s restaurant sector. Tom Kasatani, U.S. Meat Export...
What will tariffs mean for fertilizers?
EDIT: Since the following article was published earlier this morning, the White House announced that tariffs on Mexico would be suspended for a month. The deadline came and went, and the United States has placed tariffs on some of our closest trading partners and...
Driving demand for pork now and into the future
Matt Gent is now the past President of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. He moves into the role after serving as the President of the IPPA last year. Aaron Juergens has taken over as the new President of the organization for 2025. Gent tells the Iowa Agribusiness...
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More Ag News
Warm and dry weather allowed for wide-open planting window
Iowa farmers have been treated to a mostly wide-open window for planting season this year, with warm and dry weather allowing for great working conditions. With most of the crops in the ground, we’re now hoping for some rain- and it looks like those prayers will be...
Trends in first meat export forecast for 2026
USDA has published its initial projections for the 2026 calendar year meat export forecast. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski says the beef export forecast is down, due to tightening beef supplies. On the other hand, pork and broiler export...
Demand for U.S. pork continues to grow in Mexico
Following a record year of $2.6 billion of pork exports to Mexico in 2024, demand for U.S. pork has continued to expand in Mexico in 2025, growing 11% in the first quarter. According to U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Mexico Director Gerardo Rodriguez, pork...
Produce industry calls for fair farm policy
When Iowans think about trade and ag policy, especially in the context of the Farm Bill, the focus often falls on corn, soybeans, beef, and pork. But there’s a broader picture to consider. Specialty crops—including fruits, vegetables, and other unique products—also...
EPA administrator tells Senate he supports year-round E-15
The administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency says the most effective way to allow year-round E-15 sales is through Congressional action. Testifying before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday, Lee Zeldin told lawmakers, “That is the most...
