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DOJ continuing investigation into alleged meatpacking antitrust violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, prompting renewed calls from ranching groups for greater competition and market transparency. Federal officials said investigators are examining whether consolidation among the nation’s largest meatpackers contributed to inflated beef prices for consumers and reduced prices paid to cattle producers. The four largest beef processors control roughly 85% of the fed...
NCBA: Supportive of talks, focused on details
The agriculture sector is keeping a close eye on the evolving trade and tariff signals coming from the Trump Administration. Historically, agriculture is often the first target when other nations retaliate with tariffs, putting added pressure on farmers and rural...
Map the Meal Gap study shows that food insecurity continues to increase
Many people underestimate the prevalence of food insecurity. Feeding America’s annual Map the Meal Gap study shows that food insecurity has increased in every county in Iowa and impacts 385,130 Iowans- over 120,000 of which are children. That’s 12% of Iowans and 16.6%...
Planting window has been wide open in Southwest Iowa
Aside from a few storms earlier this spring, the weather has been mostly wide open for planting season. With most of the crops planted at this point, farmers are now waiting for some timely rains. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said the planting window...
Outlook for summer and fall weather
The past week of weather in Iowa has felt more like July than May. The warm and dry conditions have allowed farmers to move quickly with planting, but the heat has some questioning if it is still spring. With abnormal warmth in mid-May, what do the summer and fall...
SAF Coalition commends House Ways and Means Committee for advancing 45Z extension
Today, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Coalition’s Executive Director, Alison Graab, issued the following statement in response to the House Ways and Means Committee’s inclusion of a 45Z extension in its budget reconciliation markup. “Sustainable aviation fuel...
Ernst: keep food policy off Rodeo Drive
It’s been more than two years since California’s Proposition 12 took effect, and pork producers across the country are still grappling with its consequences. The law has done little to improve animal welfare, critics say, but has created significant financial strain,...
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Some farmers in Iowa dealing with pollination problems
We have been reading reports across the country this growing season about issues with pollination in corn. Northwest Iowa Beck’s Hybrids agronomist Eric Bartels says those issues have also been found in northwest Iowa but are not widespread. He adds that reports of...
Proper grain storage is critical during summer months
Proper grain storage is critical during these hot summer months, especially with the heat dome that is sitting over most of Iowa. Effective management of a few key factors can give farmers the flexibility to hold onto their stored grain until market conditions are the...
Recent Iowa weather conducive to tar spot development
Tar spot has been a major issue in Iowa for several years now, with this year being no different. While pressure from tar spot right now is minimal, the recent weather may cause it to ramp up in the next few weeks. Last year was an example of how detrimental tar spot...
EPA proposed registering Dicamba again
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to re-register Dicamba herbicide for over-the-top application on cotton and soybeans. Successful Farming says there will be restrictions intended to limit possible ecological harm. Dicamba has been blamed for...
GROWMARK applauds 199A extension
Farmers and cooperatives across the country are seeing some long-awaited tax clarity thanks to a key provision in the recently passed federal tax legislation. Chuck Spencer, Executive Director of Corporate and Government Relations at GROWMARK, says Section 199A for...
