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Smithfield Foods awards 12 Impact Grants nationwide
Smithfield Foods has awarded more than $280,000 in Impact Grant funding to 12 nonprofit organizations working to strengthen communities where Smithfield employees live and work. These grants build on the more than $24 million Smithfield invested in 2025 to strengthen communities nationwide, including donating more than 16 million servings of protein to neighbors experiencing food insecurity. “Through our Impact Grant Program, we are proud to partner with local organizations that are addressing...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-1-24)
This week’s export sales were very mixed. Corn saw another good week, but soybean numbers were well below expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. McBride said the flash sale of soybeans to Mexico was nice, but we...
U.S. cattle herd smallest since 1951
Before the release of Wednesday’s semi-annual cattle inventory report, various trade estimates called for a reduction in overall herd size. The USDA’s report confirmed those estimates with a herd size of 87.2 million head of cattle as of January 1st, 2024. That is a...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for specialty crop block grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 1, 2024. The grant program, which is designed to support...
Fertilizer is impacted by numerous global conflicts
As we enter year three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as tensions are boiling over in the Middle East, we can’t help but realize the impact these events are going to continue to have on our farms. While disputes throw off demand and shipping, especially in...
South American Weather and Crop Update (1-31-24)
Brazil’s weather is status quo, but Argentina is dealing with a heat wave, which could have an impact on the recently planted crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. The cooperative weather in...
Sustainability in pork is driven by producer involvement and data
Jamie Burr is the first chief sustainability officer for the National Pork Board and has now been in the job for almost a year. He says his job is to help farmers show the ways in which they farm sustainably by collecting data. On farm reports allow farmers to...
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Climatological answers for a sudden and rapid derecho
A seemingly random derecho- along with a few tornadoes- tore through the Midwest earlier this week, but was it even random at all? As always, there are answers to that in the observed climate patterns. Iowa’s State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan said a heat dome...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-18-24)
The export sales numbers flipped the script this week, with a rather normal week in corn and some optimism in the soybeans. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest report from the USDA. The fairer market weather in the soybeans was...
Soybean prices facing downward pressure
USDA analysts are examining soybean planted acreage and other data in hopes of determining the size of the upcoming soybean crop. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark Jekanowski. That is less than a 1% increase over last year’s crop. USDA Outlook Board Chairman Mark...
Eight candidates pursue title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess
Eight young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete to win the title of 71st Iowa Dairy Princess. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 7, at 7:30 p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des...
Little flies can cause big problems
Efficient production is the key to the success of any livestock operation. It goes well beyond just the meat and dairy products that we are producing; it also is a huge factor in our herd health. As they say, “One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch.” Or is it...
