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250 years of agriculture transformed America
250 years of agriculture has transformed America through innovation and marketing to industrial development and mass production. American agriculture was not just transformed by America, but it helped to transform America says retired Smithsonian Institution curator Peter Liebhold. Liebhold says it all began with marketing. Liebhold says the next step for agriculture was standardized weights, measures, and quality. The late 1800s and early 1900s saw innovation play a big role in the industry....
Using data to provide more accurate crop insurance coverage
Crop insurance is a valuable tool for farms across the country, but imprecise data collection and record keeping can limit what a producer gets from their coverage. Nick Lewitt is a precision ag specialist with RCIS and he says that accurate data can allow a farmer to...
U.S. Export Sales Report (12-12-24)
We’ve been seeing high-performing export sales for several weeks now, but this week’s report brought some weaker numbers. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said both corn and soybeans were a little disappointing. While the number of flash sales has dropped off,...
Secretary Naig announces the expansion of cattle and conservation working lands project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is expanding its popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project into Adams County, the eighth county to join the project. The southwest Iowa...
Purina committed to raising resilient calves
Getting our livestock off to the best start possible is the goal of every livestock producer. The better the start they have, the better the chance to have to produce their best. This is especially true when it comes to the cattle markets. Prices are at historic...
Old farm bill doesn’t give farmers necessary risk management tools
As Congress returns to D.C., it is now expected that they will pass another extension of the 2018 farm bill. This is a far cry from what the ag industry was wanting- and hoping for- earlier this year. American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall, during a...
How to pick the right Christmas tree
If you haven't done so already, time is running out to pick that perfect Christmas tree. Barbara H. Smith is a horticulture specialist with Clemson University Extension, and she said the tradition of decorating the modern tree goes back almost 200 years. Smith gave...
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More Ag News
Applications open for PFI’s 2025 N Rate Risk Protection Program
Farmers who are on the fence about reducing nitrogen applications might want to consider enrolling in the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s N Rate Risk Protection Program. The program is designed to help farmers reduce their input costs while also protecting the local...
U.S. economy facing uncertainty as tariff reactions continue
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will levy a tariff on all American-made vehicles that are not compliant with the USMCA and that those Canadian counter-tariffs will match tariffs put on Canada’s auto industry. This Canadian measure follows...
NCBA reacts to reciprocal tariff announcement from President Trump
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane issued the following statement after attending President Donald J. Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement at the White House on Wednesday: “For too long, America’s...
Sec. Rollins calls on Congress to pass a Farm Bill
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says farmers and ranchers need a new five-year farm bill in 2025. It has failed now to get through Congress the last two times under the Biden administration, and it is a very, very big priority of mine, Rollins said Monday. But she says...
State Ag Directors work to address industry challenges
Farmers and the agricultural industry are facing an overwhelming amount of uncertainty, with challenges coming from every direction. From unpredictable weather patterns and fluctuating market prices to labor shortages and evolving regulations, it often feels like the...
