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NPPC targets Prop 12, trade, labor in D.C.
The National Pork Producers Council is taking its top policy priorities directly to Capitol Hill this week as pork producers gather in Washington, D.C. for the group’s Legislative Action Conference April 15 and 16. Rob Brenneman, president of NPPC and a pork producer from Washington, Iowa, says one of the most important parts of the conference is making sure lawmakers hear directly from the people affected by the decisions they make. A major focus of this year’s conference is preserving the...
Instead of cutting costs, try investing in inputs
As the crop season gets fully underway, farmers are often thinking about profitability. But when it comes to profitability, some farmers look for ways to cut costs instead of ways to make more money. Cost cutting isn?t necessarily the best place to look, though,...
Animal disease preparedness a “must have” for farm bill
A strong farm safety net is a concern that has been voiced by nearly all areas of agriculture as a ?must have? for the 2023 Farm Bill. Livestock industry leaders say that animal disease preparedness is another "must have" for the next farm bill.Recent history is proof...
USMEF Spring Conference focusing on U.S.-Mexico trade relations
U.S.-Mexico trade relations will be one of the main topics of discussion at the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Spring Conference, which is set for May 24-26 in Minneapolis. Guest speaker Kenneth Smith Ramos, a former chief NAFTA negotiator for Mexico, said...
Grains anxiously watch weather while livestock is treading water
Grains took a beating last week. It was a fire sale of corn, soybeans, and wheat. The market conditions have really put pressure on this year?s crop, and there are still acres left to plant.We talk about the ?perfect storm? and what it takes to drive a market higher...
USDA previews emergency relief for agricultural producers
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack plans to roll out $3.7 billion in Emergency Relief Program and Emergency Livestock Relief Program assistance to crop and livestock producers. The funds will help producers who sustained losses due to a qualifying natural disaster event during...
Rising costs for 2023 Farm Bill
The 2023 Farm Bill will be the first in history to cost over $1 trillion. John Newton is the chief economist for the Senate Agriculture Committee and he spoke at a recent Agri-Pulse webinar on the state of the farm bill. Newton says a lot of the cost increase comes...
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Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act looking to advance in Senate
Following the recent House passage of the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act, attention now turns towards the Senate to take action. National Milk Producers Federation Senior Director of Government Relations and Head of Nutrition Policy Claudia Larson, said there’s...
Ag challenges require new five-year farm bill in 2024
The one-year extension of the farm bill in 2023 did leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth of legislators and ag groups that pushed hard for a new five-year farm bill. However, the one-year extension does serve a vital purpose says Mike Stranz, vice president of...
Tighter margins ahead in 2024
Despite a drop in key operating costs, Rabobank says contracted margins in 2023 will continue into the new year. Soybean farmers are likely to achieve good margins in the 2024 season, but corn farmers will feel their margins pressured by ample supply. Wheat margins...
Congressman Nunn talks new CRP bill & railroad debacle at the border
There are many juggling pins in the air for the agriculture industry in Washington, DC. Yesterday we talked about the E15 situation with EPA, we still need a Farm Bill, and farmers need the tools to do their jobs properly and shipping lanes that are open for us to...
South American Weather and Crop Update (12-19-23)
Spotty rain has entered the forecast in South America. While it would possibly be enough rain for our growing season, both Argentina and Brazil need significantly more rain than that. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather...
