Top Stories
Ernst talks fertilizer costs, trade, and supply chains
Fertilizer supplies and pricing continue to be a major concern for farmers as global tensions and trade uncertainty influence the ag economy heading towards the second half of the growing season. While many producers were able to secure products ahead of spring planting, questions are already beginning to build about fertilizer availability and pricing for fall application and the 2027 crop year. I spoke with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst about those concerns, including domestic fertilizer...
Health benefits make probiotics essential for every animal
Agricultural efficiency is going to continue to be a central focus of every agricultural operation as farmers are asked to do more with less. As the world’s population grows and natural resources become more scarce, farmers will still be tasked with feeding the world....
ASF continues to dominate Iowa Pork Industry talk
A key update from our friends in the pork industry on preparedness for and prevention of African Swine Fever. In order to fully appreciate and evaluate where we currently stand, we have to know where we've been and we get that perspective from Doctor Paul Sundberg,...
Secretary Naig announces water quality project with IPPA and INREC
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and the Iowa Nutrient Research and Education Council (INREC) will partner with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship on a “batch and build” water...
Farmers should be prepared to call an audible for 2024
As progress moves forward, we sometimes have to adjust the way we do things to get the best results. While the basics of farming have not changed, and will likely never change, how we incorporate new technology and practices is very important. Not only is technology a...
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-28-23)
Dryness is still the story for weather in South America. Some scattered rains are providing slight relief, but, once again, they need to see more than just scattered rain. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns in Brazil...
USMCA panel limits U.S. dairy access in Canada
The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement went into effect on July 1st 2020 and was designed to allow for more balanced and reciprocal trade between the three North American trade partners. However, a recent USMCA dispute panel argued that Canada’s dairy import...
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Red meat industry holds optimistic outlook for 2024
The U.S. red meat industry gathered in Kansas City last week for the annual U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference. USMEF Chair Randy Spronk sensed optimism among attendees for the remainder of 2024. Spronk stressed the need for an equal playing field...
Biosecurity vital for protecting livestock and farmhands from H5N1
The need for robust biosecurity measures for all species is greater than ever after the recent detections of H5N1 in dairy herds. Dr. Marisa Rotolo, National Pork Board’s Director of Swine Health, emphasized the importance of on-farm measures to keep it that way....
Persistent heavy rains creating replant concerns for Iowa growers
Frequent heavy rains in May have created replant concerns for many Iowa growers. What does this mean for the growing season in Iowa and how might agronomic concerns early in the growing cycle factor into the ag marketplace? Matt Bennett, co-founder of AgMarket.Net,...
Grassley, Feenstra, Ernst demand higher RVO levels
Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst, both Iowa Republicans, are demanding the Environmental Protection Agency raise 2024 and 2025 renewable volume obligations for biomass-based diesel and advanced biofuels. The lawmakers joined Representative Randy Feenstra, also...
Butterfield’s lullaby: 24 simple notes that carry a lot of weight
If you slept through history class, you did not miss anything about General Daniel Butterfield. Nobody really talks about him. However, there is not an American who does not know at least something about him, even if they do not realize it. Profit Matters 5-27-24...
