Top Stories
Producer-led Advisory Committee to advance National Swine Health Strategy
The industry’s Swine Health Advisory Committee helps build on what’s working and accelerates action to ensure the National Swine Health Strategy reflects producers’ needs. Paul Ayers, chair of the advisory committee, said producers are working hand in hand with common goals. Programs such as the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) and the Certified Swine Sample Collector Program serve as foundational tools for pork producers. These initiatives help strengthen on-farm biosecurity,...
Vilsack to lead World Food Prize Foundation
The World Food Prize Foundation says former Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack will serve as the new CEO of the organization beginning on March 1, 2025. As the CEO, the Foundation says Vilsack will leverage his extensive leadership and diplomatic experience to enhance the...
Milder winter may shift H5N1 seasonal pattern
The extended fall and unusually mild start of winter delayed the southern migration of many bird species, prolonging last year’s H5N1 (avian influenza) season. With birds lingering longer than usual, the virus had an extended window to spread. As January ends on a...
Grassley discusses tariff concerns
After taking office last week President Trump announced he is considering introducing import tariffs as high as 25% on Canada and Mexico beginning in February. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the potential tariffs during his weekly ag...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-28-25)
After some needed dryness in Brazil, rain has reentered the forecast. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest conditions in South America. Harvest is officially underway in Brazil, which means that planters are also following close behind...
Finishing off an exceptionally dry and cold January
Recently, a large arctic air mass has made its way through much of the United States. This is what caused the subzero temperatures in Iowa, and it’s also what brought snow down to the Southeast. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said that, fortunately, this...
U.S. share of China’s soybean market dropped in 2024
China’s soybean imports from the United States dropped five percent in 2024 from the previous year. Reuters says, “U.S. soybean imports were replaced in the Chinese market by shipments from Brazil and Argentina as fears of a renewed trade war between China and the...
Video
More Ag News
Map the Meal Gap study shows that food insecurity continues to increase
Many people underestimate the prevalence of food insecurity. Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study shows that food insecurity has increased in every county in Iowa and impacts 385,130 Iowans- over 120,000 of which are children. That’s 12% of Iowans and 16.6%...
Planting window has been wide open in Southwest Iowa
Aside from a few storms earlier this spring, the weather has been mostly wide open for planting season. With most of the crops planted at this point, farmers are now waiting for some timely rains. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said the planting window...
Outlook for summer and fall weather
The past week of weather in Iowa has felt more like July than May. The warm and dry conditions have allowed farmers to move quickly with planting, but the heat has some questioning if it is still spring. With abnormal warmth in mid-May, what do the summer and fall...
SAF Coalition commends House Ways and Means Committee for advancing 45Z extension
Today, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition’s Executive Director, Alison Graab, issued the following statement in response to the House Ways and Means Committee’s inclusion of a 45Z extension in its budget reconciliation markup. “Sustainable aviation fuel...
Ernst: keep food policy off Rodeo Drive
It’s been more than two years since California’s Proposition 12 took effect, and pork producers across the country are still grappling with its consequences. The law has done little to improve animal welfare, critics say, but has created significant financial strain,...
