Top Stories
DOJ continuing investigation into alleged meatpacking antitrust violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, prompting renewed calls from ranching groups for greater competition and market transparency. Federal officials said investigators are examining whether consolidation among the nation’s largest meatpackers contributed to inflated beef prices for consumers and reduced prices paid to cattle producers. The four largest beef processors control roughly 85% of the fed...
Reduce the need for labor and let pigs vaccinate themselves
It may seem crazy, but a legitimate solution to the ongoing labor shortage is to let your pigs vaccinate themselves against certain common diseases. Boehringer Ingelheim has developed a new administration method for its oral Salmonella and Lawsonia vaccines- Enterisol...
World events are always influencing the fertilizer marketplace
Events halfway across the world affect the fertilizer marketplace even here at home. The knock-on effect from conflicts, weather events, and government policy can drastically change the price that Iowa’s farmers pay for fertilizer. The recent conflict in the middle...
Groups express concern about disaster relief changes
The National Corn Growers and 16 state-affiliated associations joined more than 140 allied national, regional, and state commodity organizations opposing changes to USDA disaster relief. The groups sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack relaying their concerns with...
Improving Nitrogen Use Efficiency
Continuing to improve! One of the great things about Iowa Agriculture is we're always looking at how we can do things better and we're getting great help. On Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be thankful for, including the companies who are helping us out like UPL on...
Chief Ag Negotiator talks about the strength of our trade situation
As we have talked about in great detail, exports are an essential part of our agriculture industry. We truly feed the world and we need to have good trade relationships to do that. That is why we rely on the office of the U.S. Trade Representative and the team there....
South American Weather and Crop Update (11-21-23)
The markets are homing in on weather issues in northern Brazil. Continued dryness in the region is raising alarms on the upcoming crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather conditions in South America. McBride said there are...
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More Ag News
Despite tighter margins, there are still opportunities for profits
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago recently released its May agricultural market newsletter, and it included data on agricultural conditions in Iowa. Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers said the report highlighted some persisting struggles that Iowa farmers are...
Grassley comments on House version of farm bill
Last week House Ag Committee Chair GT Thompson released the House version of the farm bill for discussion ahead of the markup session on May 23rd. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that he is still working through the text of the bill but is pleased...
South American Weather and Crop Update (5-21-24)
Completely opposite to what we’re experiencing right now, there’s some dryness across much of Brazil right now. This is starting to raise some concerns for the safrinha crop. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather patterns. The...
Iowa crop progress and condition report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and...
NCBA concerned over abuse of Endangered Species Act
When I was a broadcaster in Minnesota, one of the hot topics that we dealt with was the dispute over the gray wolf. For a long time, the gray wolf had been on a protected list under the Endangered Species Act. Its numbers had dwindled for several reasons. While the...
