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AG trade deficit drops 42 percent
New numbers from USDA show progress in reducing the U.S. agricultural trade deficit, but officials say there is still more work ahead to return to a long-standing trade surplus. USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke Lindberg says when the administration took office, the U.S. was facing a significant ag trade deficit after years of declining market access opportunities. Lindberg says while the U.S. is not back to a trade surplus yet, the improvement shows there is...
Soybean farmers encouraged to vote in ISA director elections
The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is driven to deliver insights, tools, activities and information to improve the competitiveness and profitability of the state?s soybean growers. This is a feat only made possible by the collective voice and checkoff investment of...
Fertilizer prices continue to slide
It was less than a year ago that we were worried about how we were going to be able to afford to put fertilizer on the fields in the fall or this spring and grow a crop in 2023. How were we going to break even when some prices were topping over $1,500 per ton for...
Using MLV vaccines in swine herds
Modified-live virus (MLV) vaccines have been available for decades, and they?ve proven to be especially critical in the swine industry for PRRS control. Dr. JD Fiechtner, senior account veterinarian for swine at Boehringer Ingelheim, explained how MLV vaccines work...
Fast and reliable direct-to-farm delivery a powerful tool for growers
Farmers Business Network (FBN?), the global AgTech platform and farmer-to-farmer network was launched in 2014 and has continued to build up its logistics and delivery infrastructure in the near decade since. The expanded delivery network offers 3-day delivery or less...
Secretary Naig encourages farmers to utilize state?s hay and straw directory
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship offers a free, searchable online directory to connect Iowa farmers who have hay or straw to sell with buyers who are interested in purchasing it.Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is encouraging farmers or...
It?s fair season, but the weather sure isn?t fair
Fresh off the Independence Day holiday, and as corn starts to tassel around Iowa, the variable dryness continues to cause concern among growers and end users alike. Linn County farmer Ryan Seick said the moisture profile is about empty after the dryness in June, so...
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More Ag News
State Ag Directors agree a Farm Bill must be done this year
We have talked a lot about the Farm Bill, its extension, and its outdated data that is still the basis for food policy in the United States. We have talked in-depth about the gridlock facing the Farm Bill in Congress and how the American people are hanging in the...
Carbon markets can also benefit livestock producers
Carbon markets aren’t just for grain producers to take advantage of. Livestock producers can also utilize certain grazing practices to get some extra revenue from carbon market programs. Del Ficke of Graze Master talked about the opportunities that are available to...
Now’s a great time to evaluate your farm buildings
With the new year comes the potential for lots of changes, even on the farm. Dennis Lee, farm product line manager for Morton Buildings, said it’s a great time to evaluate your farm buildings and see if you need something new. Lee said there are a lot of factors that...
Sen Ernst doubtful of any Farm Bill progress
As we have turned the calendar into 2024, there are question marks around a lot of key pieces of legislation that will have large impacts on the day-to-day lives of almost all Americans. The two bills that are causing the most angst is the spending bill and the Farm...
Secretary Naig encourages participation in statewide horticulture food crops survey
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encouraged Iowa horticulture food crop producers to participate in a statewide industry survey aimed at capturing fresh data on the diversity, growth and economic impact of horticultural food crop production in our state. This...
