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USDA finalizes specialty crop assistance program details
The USDA announced it has finalized the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers Program, announced late last year. Danny Munch, an economist for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the funds are part of the USDA’s broader Farmer Bridge Assistance Program. The assistance is available to farmers who planted specialty crops in 2025 and reported those acres to the Farm Service Agency. Munch said the USDA is already preparing pre-filled applications for eligible farmers. For more information,...
Innovation and technology helping farmers reach sustainability goals
The mission of the U.S. Grains Council is to develop markets, enable trade, and improve lives. Carlos Suarez is the manager of sustainability, policy, and innovation for the U.S. Grains Council and says that sustainability is becoming more of a central focus across...
Iowa crop progress and condition report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and...
Senator Ernst reacts to Stabenow’s version of Farm Bill
Last week, the respective Chairpeople of the House & Senate Ag Committees released their visions for a Farm Bill. While House Ag Committee Chairman GT Thompson, a Pennsylvania Republican, released a framework for legislation that he wants to mark up by May 23rd,...
Rain delays causing potentially premature market reactions
Rain continues to delay planting across the Corn Belt, but since rain makes grain, it’s pretty worth it at this point. However, we are getting closer and closer to that planting deadline, and the markets were feeling the heat today and shot upwards. Robin Schmahl of...
U.S. agriculture not immune to cyberthreats
Cyberattacks are on the increase and are being used to target industrial systems that are utilized by U.S. agriculture, that’s according to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines. Haines tells the Senate Armed Services Committee the U.S. intelligence community...
Ag groups respond to farm bill overviews
U.S. ag groups are reacting to the House and Senate Ag Committee leaders who released their farm bill overviews. “We are very pleased with the Farm Bill framework from House Ag Chair GT Thompson,” says Ethan Lane, VP of government affairs with the NCBA. “We are...
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Dry weather forecasted to stick around in Iowa
While the temperatures have been enjoyable lately, the lack of rainfall has been anything but. After experiencing the driest September on record, drought and fire dangers have increased. Justin Glisan, state climatologist for Iowa, said that the drought monitor has...
Dairy market volatility not that surprising
It’s been an up and down ride for the dairy markets lately. Mike North of Ever.ag says there are a lot of reasons behind the price volatility. North says price volatility is not unusual to see at this point in the calendar. He says demand for dairy tends to spike...
East and Gulf Coast ports reopen as strike temporarily ends
On Thursday, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) and the U.S. Maritime Alliance (USMX) released a joint statement announcing a temporary end to the work stoppage that shut down the East and Gulf Coast ports earlier in the week. U.S. Meat Export...
Lame duck session seen as last chance to save farm bill
The legislation that would set food and farm policy for the next five years is in limbo, waiting for lawmakers to decide its fate after the election. The latest deadline for the Farm Bill passed unceremoniously at midnight on Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to...
2025 Farmer’s Almanac has something for everyone
We have seen it on shelves in various stores for years. The Farmer’s Almanac has a devoted following of people who read it and take its information to heart. Many believe that the information contained is the best estimate of what we can expect throughout the year. It...
