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Beef exports were strong in July while pork was down
July exports of U.S. beef climbed 6% year-over-year in value while volume was steady, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the value increase was driven primarily by another outstanding month for Taiwan, as well as strong results in other parts of the globe. Halstrom said that, although restrictions related to a finding of pseudorabies virus (PRV) were removed in mid-to-late July, pork exports –...
Farmers weigh fungicide against tight margins
Even with crops looking good across much of Iowa, many producers are still facing difficult financial decisions. Depressed commodity prices and elevated input costs continue to squeeze profit margins, forcing farmers to carefully evaluate every input they purchase....
Mexico removes pseudorabies restrictions on U.S. pork offal
Mexico this week removed all pseudorabies (PRV) related restrictions on U.S. pork offal products. As U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror explains, this comes as a big relief since the temporary restrictions had...
Iowa Farm Bureau Economic Summit puts spotlight on trade and the future of agriculture
Iowa Farm Bureau held its 2026 Economic Summit on Friday July 17th at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on the DMACC campus. Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson tells the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network that the goal of the Economic Summit was to bring together...
No relief in sight for difficult farm economy
Farmers and ranchers are continuing to struggle with a difficult farm economy. Unfortunately, a study from the American Farm Bureau Federation shows the economic situation in rural America will only get worse. Faith Parum, an economist with the American Farm Bureau...
NCGA recognizes Rep. Feenstra with President’s Award
The National Corn Growers Association recognizes Rep. Randy Feenstra with its highest honor, the President’s Award. Feenstra, who serves on the House Agriculture Committee, has been a long-standing champion for corn grower priorities, especially for expanding ethanol...
USDA invests $500 million in processors
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $500 million to strengthen the nation's beef processing capacity through its Strengthening Processing for U.S. Ranchers, or SPUR, program. The funding is aimed at small and midsize meat processors, which USDA defines as...
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Extreme heat impacts the Midwest
Extreme heat has been impacting the western two-thirds of the United States in recent days as crops are in critical stages of growth. One example of the intense heat occurred recently in the badlands of South Dakota says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Although...
Farmers continue embracing conservation practices
Iowa farmers continue adopting conservation practices at a record pace, and Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says new state investments will help keep that momentum going. During a recent interview, Naig said conservation remains one of the department's top...
U.S. pork exports to Japan show strong rebound
Exports of U.S. pork to Japan have shown an impressive rebound in 2026. The market has faced challenges such as high energy costs and a weak yen against the U.S. dollar, but some value sectors have increasingly relied on U.S. pork loin and pork butt. USMEF President...
Grassley says farm bill markup possible next week even without McConnell
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the Senate Ag Committee could still mark up a farm bill next week before the August recess without sidelined Mitch McConnell and a GOP majority. Senator Grassley says Ag Chair John Boozman still hopes to take up...
Markets react to July USDA cattle reports
The USDA released two important reports last week that each had a direct impact on the U.S. cattle industry: the July Cattle Inventory and July Cattle on Feed Reports. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the two reports offer a...
