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Trade deals only first step for USDA
As new trade agreements take shape, USDA officials say the next step is making sure those deals translate into real opportunities for U.S. agriculture. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says securing market access is only part of the process when it comes to expanding global demand for American products. Lindberg says once those agreements are in place, the focus shifts to building relationships and connecting U.S. producers with buyers around the...
Margin Protection offers safety net for farmers
Farming is an inherently risky business, and, unfortunately, it sometimes feels like there’s nothing you can control. However, that makes it even more important to take the reins for things you actually can control. Doug Burns, regional vice president of insurance...
Excessive heat lowers crop condition ratings
A six percent drop in the primary crop condition rating across the state according to the USDA’s latest numbers. Weekly crop condition ratings are out from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service Upper Midwest Regional Office. Agricultural Statistician Brian...
Gas lower, diesel higher, ahead of Labor Day Weekend
For the first time in over a month, the nation's average price of gasoline declined, falling 4.0 cents from a week ago to $3.78 per gallon. The national average is up 5.8 cents from a month ago but 3.5 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average...
Generating more sustainable soy for the future of farming
Sustainability practices are some of the biggest things we are discussing in agriculture right now. We are constantly looking at ways to do better work on protecting our soil, air, and water. Farmers are embracing new ways to do better and make sure that they are...
Secretary Naig tours innovative FFA meat science program
Looking at the other side of Iowa agriculture, the food side of things as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Mike Naig tours an innovative FFA program. Midland FFA has a meat science lab and is looking at a greenhouse to create products and put them into the school lunch...
U.S. Wheat still poised to be ready to meet global demands in 2023
We don’t spend a great amount of time discussing wheat, because there isn’t a whole lot of it in Iowa when you compare it to the number of acres of corn and soybeans. However, it is still one of the major commodities in the world as we look at its global demand. It...
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Giving growers the most options to select the right seed
When selecting seed for the upcoming growing season a grower should be striving to select the right seed for their operation and the right seed for each field. More options allow for more opportunities to make the correct choice. Syngenta Seeds offers three brands and...
U.S. red meat exports had a strong start to 2024
January red meat export data from the USDA and the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is showing a strong start to 2024. U.S. pork exports raced to a great start in January, and while beef exports were slightly below last year’s volume, export value trended...
House Ag Committee offers farm labor solution
The House Agriculture Committee laid out a roadmap to relieve labor shortages that have seriously impacted America’s farmers and ranchers. The Agriculture Labor Working Group released its final report on how to improve the H-2A guest worker program. It includes more...
Toyota receives “Friend of Corn” award
We have long been talking about the battle being fought for the future of biofuels in this country. Between the big oil companies on one side trying to lobby or litigate biofuels out of the marketplace and the current administration saying the EVs are the only option...
Final SEC climate disclosure rule a win for farmers and ranchers
The Securities and Exchange Commission recently released its final emissions reporting rule without Scope 3 requirements. The SEC’s final climate disclosure rule doesn’t contain Scope 3, which would have seriously burdened U.S. farmers and ranchers. Travis Cushman,...
