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U.S. red meat exports were strong in March
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said increased year-over-year to leading market Mexico, as well as to Japan, Central America, the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Taiwan. Through the first quarter, pork exports were 3% above last year’s pace in both volume (778,939 mt) and value ($2.17...
NRCS celebrating 90 years and looking ahead to future
The Natural Resources Conservation Service recently celebrated 90 years of protecting soil health and serving farmers to do so. However, they aren’t resting on their laurels. Aubrey Bettencourt, NRCS Chief, said connecting with farmers is something they talk about a...
Spring weather tests crop nutrition, protection plans
The next stage of the 2025 growing season is well underway, as crops emerge across the state and farmers shift their focus to post-emergence crop protection. With applications on the horizon, timing and field conditions will be key. Spring started off warm and dry,...
Insecticide-resistant soybean aphids pose a challenge to Iowa farmers
For a few years, soybean aphids weren’t too much of a problem in Iowa. However, last year was a wake-up call for farmers in Northern Iowa especially. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical services representative for Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, said that soybean aphids...
Mental Health Awareness Month is especially important for agriculture
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Farmers and ranchers experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to the general population. This is due to many factors, including financial strain and weather-related stress. Dr. Larry Tranel, a dairy field...
Farmland prices began to soften in 2024
2024 was the cooling period for farmland prices after several years of quickly rising farmland values. Randy Dickhut, farmland sales expert with Agricultural Economic Insights, says fluctuating farmland prices are a typical pattern over a multi-year period. According...
Iowa cash rents drop in 2025
The 2025 annual survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9 percent in 2025 to $271 per acre. It’s the first decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre during the previous two years of the survey....
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More Ag News
Iowa State Fair continuing to modernize livestock buildings
The Iowa State Fair is finally back and kicking off tomorrow, August 7th. It’s still the same great event that it’s always been, but fairgoers will notice some thoughtful improvements this year. Areas like the kid’s playgrounds have been made more accessible, and...
H-2A program still needs updating, AFBF says
Farmers and ranchers need a more efficient program for supplying labor. Difficulty finding adequate labor is a common challenge for farmers across the U.S. Phillip Hunter, chair of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Ag Labor Issue Advisory Committee, said...
Better corn rootworm control and tank mix compatibility with Opello™
When it comes to battling corn rootworms, new tools designed to control the yield robbing pest are always welcome. Opello™ insecticide from Syngenta is the latest product to help growers take on below ground pests and could be available as soon as Spring 2026. Kevin...
Choose Iowa kitchen demonstrations highlight local foods and culinary professionals at the 2025 ISF
Choose Iowa will present free cooking demonstrations and food presentations daily at 1 p.m. in The Kitchen inside the Maytag Family Theatre Building throughout the 2025 Iowa State Fair. The Kitchen is located on the Grand Concourse between the Iowa Department of...
25th annual All-State Barn Tour set for this fall
This September, Iowans will have the unique opportunity to step back in time as the 25th Annual All-State Barn Tour takes place across the state. Hosted by the Iowa Barn Foundation, the self-guided tour will run September 13 and 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will...
