Top Stories
Congress proposes changes to Endangered Species Act
New legislation is aimed at providing improvements and updates to the Endangered Species Act. Shelby Hagenauer, senior director of government relations for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the organization especially appreciates the updates help to incentivize early adoption of actions that would help wildlife. Hagenauer said the Endangered Species Act was first passed with good intentions in 1973 to protect species in peril. After a potential House vote this week, the bill will move...
Fungicide applications still necessary despite dry start in Iowa
This year, like many years prior, has been throwing curveballs. We are seeing dry conditions suddenly becoming wet, and crops that were under stress now suddenly growing to their potential. It has got farmers scratching their heads and thinking about if they need to...
Hinson talks EATS Act and the consequences of Prop 12
In response to government overreach from Proposition 12, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson and Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn have introduced the bicameral Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act. At its core, the movement surrounding Prop 12 seeks to limit...
U.S. Export Sales Report (7-13-23)
Following yesterday?s interesting WASDE report, this week?s export sales were actually pretty friendly. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride provided a breakdown of this week?s U.S. Export Sales Report.McBride said there were also some flash sales this week, and...
Former NCBA chief says Biden admin MIA on trade
The former head of the National Cattlemen?s Beef Association Don Schiefelbein says the Biden Administration is ?missing in action? on trade.Schiefelbein told Ways and Means lawmakers at a field hearing on his Minnesota farm, that he couldn?t get U.S. beef at a...
EPA tailpipe emissions proposal has created an unlikely alliance
It has been no secret since the Biden Administration took control in Washington, they have been working to enact regulations and laws to incentivize what many would consider to be the ?green agenda.? While many agree that trying to better the environment is a noble...
AEM releases June 2023 equipment sales numbers
Total farm tractor unit sales in the U.S. turned positive for the first time in 2023, led by continued strength in large tractors and combines. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers reported Wednesday gains in the U.S. market were led by 100-plus horsepower...
Video
More Ag News
Tax relief package is now heading to the Senate
A tax relief package passed the House of Representatives this week and heads to the Senate for consideration. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act restores tax provisions left out of the 2017 tax reform efforts. American Farm Bureau Federation...
U.S. Export Sales Report (2-1-24)
This week’s export sales were very mixed. Corn saw another good week, but soybean numbers were well below expectations. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. McBride said the flash sale of soybeans to Mexico was nice, but we...
U.S. cattle herd smallest since 1951
Before the release of Wednesday’s semi-annual cattle inventory report, various trade estimates called for a reduction in overall herd size. The USDA’s report confirmed those estimates with a herd size of 87.2 million head of cattle as of January 1st, 2024. That is a...
Secretary Naig welcomes applications for specialty crop block grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through March 1, 2024. The grant program, which is designed to support...
Fertilizer is impacted by numerous global conflicts
As we enter year three of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and as tensions are boiling over in the Middle East, we can’t help but realize the impact these events are going to continue to have on our farms. While disputes throw off demand and shipping, especially in...
