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USDA watching western drought, Midwest summer outlook
Summer weather patterns remain difficult to predict heading into the heart of the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says current forecast models continue pointing toward ongoing drought concerns across much of the western United States. Speaking during a weather briefing in Washington, D.C., Rippey said forecasters are currently caught between fading La Niña conditions and the expected development of El Niño later this year. Rippey, who authors the weekly U.S. Drought...
Farmers and ranchers stepping up to oppose the estate tax
The American Farm Bureau Federation was part of a letter to Congress expressing opposition to the estate tax. Dustin Sherer, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, talked about what was in the letter. “The Family Businesses Estate Tax...
Lawmakers lay out farm bill priorities heading into 2024
Congressional lawmakers will try again to pass a new five-year farm bill in 2024, and some have already made out their New Year’s wish list of what to include. Conservative Republicans Chip Roy of Texas and Iowa’s Chuck Grassley stressed in a recent letter to House...
Exports and holiday treats
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service wants to remind you that exports are important to those holiday treats you may be enjoying. Whether you bake in North America or the North Pole, those holiday cookies, cakes, and candies are sure to be extra sweet and delicious,...
Remember old Christmas memories as you create new ones
Well, here we are. We finally made it to Christmas 2023. It's hard to believe just how fast this year has already flown by. I feel like we just had Christmas a month or so ago. This year finds me spending the holiday with my mother back in Minnesota. I'm happy to be...
Shipping situation remains bleak in the Panama Canal
Low water levels have not just been a problem for shipping grain on the Mississippi river this year. The Panama Canal has also had its issues as the man-made Lake Gatun which feeds the canal and powers shipping has also dipped to low levels. Lake Gatun is a man-made...
2024 livestock market outlook contains highs and lows
To say that this year was a rollercoaster in the livestock industry is an understatement. From policy changes to fluctuations in market prices and input costs, it felt like the entire marketplace could change course from week to week. Iowa Farm Bureau Economist...
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More Ag News
Make sure to heavily consider yield potential before replanting
The plentiful amount of rain we have received so far this crop season has been a blessing for the drought conditions across the state. In fact, Iowa is now entirely drought-free. However, receiving so much rain in a relatively short period of time also has some...
Middle East chefs and culinary students educated on U.S. beef
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Corporate Chef Germán Navarrete is based in Mexico City, but his talents are employed throughout the world. With support from USDA and the Beef Checkoff Program, Chef Navarrete recently conducted training sessions for chefs and...
Getting the best deal possible as interest rate cuts remain elusive
To combat inflation, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates 11 times between March 2022 and July 2023. As inflation has receded, expectations for rate cuts have not materialized. 2024 has been a difficult interest environment for farmers with rates steady and no...
USDA funds to support farmworkers
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says the USDA is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states and Puerto Rico. The funds come through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program and will reach 177 unique agricultural operations and more than 11,000...
Spring rains have been more of a blessing than a curse
This spring has given Iowa an interesting start to the 2024 growing season. On the one hand, we know that the rains slowed down planting progress, but we also needed the rains to replenish the drought-stricken soils and give our crops a fighting chance to have a less...
