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Soy checkoff continues evolving with changing demand needs
Farmers across the country are taking a harder look at every dollar moving through their operations. With tight margins, elevated input costs, and continued uncertainty in the ag economy, some soybean growers may question whether they are truly seeing value from the soybean checkoff dollars collected on every bushel sold. Members of the United Soybean Board say those are fair questions to ask. Speaking at the U.S. Soy booth, New Jersey farmer and USB board member Pat Giberson said the soybean...
Strong month for U.S. pork exports driven by Mexican demand
It was another banner month for U.S. Pork exports according to the latest data for the month of October from the USDA. Kelli Wicks, manager of international market development for the National Pork Board, says that the Mexican market continues to be a big success...
USB infrastructure investments benefit all of U.S. agriculture
The United Soybean Board (USB) engages in a number of infrastructure investments designed to keep U.S. soybean growers in a global leadership position while also benefiting transport of other commodities and agricultural inputs. USB Director Belinda Burrier said...
Iowa land value study shows four percent rise in prices
Farmland values in Iowa rose again but at a slower pace than the two previous years. The annual Iowa State University Land Value Survey found that farmland values increased 3.7 percent, or $424, to $11,835 per acre. That increase follows a larger 17 percent increase...
“Factory farming” more a buzz word than a reality
“Factory Farms” is a term that we hear far too often from those who are seemingly opposed to the conventional form of farming that we are all used to seeing. Many times, it is thrown out by those who wish to either radically change or do away with agricultural...
Grassley anticipates challenges for ’24 Farm Bill
With Republicans and Democrats firmly entrenched in their positions, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the sides need to soften their stances and work on compromise to complete a new five-year farm bill in 2024. Grassley says that the current stalemate cannot...
Secretary Naig announces expansion for NW Iowa water quality project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that a successful Water Quality Initiative (WQI) project in Plymouth, Sioux, O’Brien and Cherokee Counties is expanding into a larger territory while beginning a new phase that includes an added focus on...
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Legislation creating uncertainty for pork producers
When California’s Prop 12 legislation was enacted into law to begin 2024 it signaled a major change for the pork production industry with one state enacting a law that determined how pork was raised across the country. For pork products to be sold in California they...
Iowans encouraged to visit farmers markets
As summer kicks off, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging Iowa families to visit and support the more than 200 farmers markets located across the state. Farmers markets and farm stands provide consumers with easy access to local fruits, vegetables,...
ISU developed test to detect Japanese encephalitis virus
In 2013, when the porcine epidemic diarrhea virus made its way to the U.S., the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab (ISU VDL) had to design a high-capacity test to keep up with the outbreak. Now there’s another disease that’s made a global spread. Japanese...
April pork exports largest in almost three years
April exports of U.S. pork reached the highest volume and value since May 2021, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). It was also a robust month for U.S. beef exports, which were the largest in 10 months and valued...
NPPC Working with our neighbors to protect our animal populations
Global trade is a complex thing. There are agreements in place, tariffs, trade barriers, and the list goes on and on. It’s not just saying, “Hey we would like to sell you some food.” And they respond, “Okay here’s our money.” There are so many rules, regulations, and...
