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Central America is a growing market for U.S. red meat exports
Central America will continue to be a growing market for exports of U.S. pork and beef, due in large part to the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). Ricardo Zúniga, founding partner of Dinámica Americas and featured speaker at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference in Oklahoma City, said he is bullish on the economic outlook for Central America, but he cautioned that a number of factors could limit the region’s growing demand for U.S. beef and...
South American Weather and Crop Update (2-20-24)
Brazil has some good rains still, and Argentina is still dry. However, some nice rains are projected to pass through both countries. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said harvest and...
Annual USDA Chicken and Eggs Report forecasts increased production
The annual Chickens and Eggs report from USDA shows the U.S. chicken inventory for December 1st up one percent from a year ago and egg production down slightly. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Bernt Nelson said the report comes as nearly all protein sectors-...
Changing crop patterns help drive farmland prices higher
One of the reasons for shifting farmland prices is changing crop patterns. Randy Dickhut, farmland sales specialist with Agricultural Economic Insights, mentions where some of the most notable changes are taking place. The beginning of the increase in farmland prices...
Pork exports projected to surpass broiler chicken exports
USDA’s long-term projection data shows the volume of U.S. red meat exports in all major categories is projected to grow through 2033. Rising incomes abroad and a moderately declining real exchange rate of the U.S. dollar against the currencies of major agricultural...
South Dakota legislation bans land ownership by “bad actors”
There has been concern all across the United States as to who owns farm land, and whether or not our land is being owned by foreign governments or entities. Even while having one of the most stringent laws in place to prevent this, Iowa is even looking at dotting more...
Make sure your soil is ready for planting season
There are a lot of questions for this year’s crop, especially with how dry things were heading into the fall. Many farmers are rightfully worried about whether or not there will be enough moisture in the soil once planting season comes around. Andrew Phillips of...
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More Ag News
Grassley says farmers fed up with no new farm bill
Farmers are fed up with Congress’ failure to produce a new farm bill and will likely feel the economic impact. That’s according to United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA). Grassley (R-IA) was hopeful early in 2024 that a new farm bill would be agreed to in the new...
Modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders
In early July, the USDA released its recommendations for modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders. Stephen Cain, senior director of economic research and analysis for the National Milk Producers Federation, shared his initial reaction to the proposal. The...
ISU studying benefits of grass-to-gas energy production for farmers
We’re proud of our ability to produce corn and soybeans at a high level in the state of Iowa, but one of the unintended consequences of growing those dominant row crops is the effect they have on the soil. Erosion, fertilizer runoff, and greenhouse gas emissions are...
Majority of beef cattle farms have small herds
The United States has numerous beef cow-calf farms that raise beef calves at least through weaning. However, USDA data says while there are a large number of farms, most are relatively small. Data from the 2022 Census of Agriculture indicated that 55 percent of...
Iowa State Fair a showcase of education and advocation for Iowa Agriculture
Less than a week from now, Iowans will descend on Des Moines for the Iowa State Fair. It is a chance for our citizens to celebrate everything about Iowa. Among those things we celebrate is the agriculture industry. Whether it is the animals we show to the food we eat,...
