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Beef prices and herd retention decisions
With turbulent cattle markets due to beef imports and the southern border with Mexico reopening for cattle imports cattle producers have a lot to think about when making decisions for the future of the herd. Will cattle ranchers and farmers make plans for starting the rebuilding process for the remainder of 2026 and going into 2027? That is USDA Chief Economist Justin Benevidez. He says that price data will influence the choices of producers at the individual and national level when making...
A multi-state focus on specialty crops
Applications are now being accepted for grants from USDA's Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, which is designed to address various concerns and efforts within the specialty crop industry. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Tricia Kovacs provides...
Soy checkoff continues evolving with changing demand needs
Farmers across the country are taking a harder look at every dollar moving through their operations. With tight margins, elevated input costs, and continued uncertainty in the ag economy, some soybean growers may question whether they are truly seeing value from the...
Iowa Farm Bureau accepting applications for “Grow Your Future” award
Iowa Farm Bureau is now accepting applications for its Grow Your Future Award, offering one young farmer $10,000 to scale their ag-related business. The competition highlights Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 who are building creative, value-added businesses from...
Feenstra says year-round E15 has strong bipartisan support
On Wednesday, the U.S. House of Representatives was able to pass legislation that would allow E15 to permanently be sold year-round. By unleashing ethanol production, demand for corn can increase, fuel prices can go down, and America can become more energy...
U.S. Export Sales Report (5-14-26)
This week’s export sales were mostly a repeat of recent trends once again. However, there were a few notable differences. Allendale commodity broker Ben Breisch said old crop corn sales were lacking, but that market has been so strong recently that this is a minor...
Latest Cattle on Feed Report hints at minor herd rebuild
April’s USDA Cattle on Feed Report provided a breakdown of steers and heifers on feed with heifers falling to 37 percent of the total on-feed inventory. Typically, this is the initial signaling of herd rebuilding. ShayLe Stewart, a livestock market analyst with DTN,...
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More Ag News
Neutral June WASDE report had little impact on grain prices
A few slight offsetting changes in the June World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report left the markets with very little to react to in Thursday’s trading session. That lines up with past years, though, as the June WASDE report is usually fairly...
Boozman says farm bill proposal coming soon
Senate Ag Chair John Boozman says that the work on a bipartisan farm bill is about to yield results. Boozman says that the high prices of fertilizer and diesel fuel, labor and interest costs are all necessary reasons that farm policy needs to be updated and...
Groups tell House Ag Committee that USMCA is critical for U.S. Farmers
Farm and food industry leaders told members of the House Agriculture Committee that renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is critical to the future of American agriculture and rural communities. During a hearing on the future of USMCA, representatives from...
NPPC optimistic about the future of the swine industry
The spotlights were shining bright on Des Moines from June 3-4 for the 2026 World Pork Expo at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The highly anticipated event did not disappoint with attendees pouring out from all over the country. The two-day long event provided attendees...
New World Screwworm prompts vigilance, not panic
The confirmation of New World Screwworm cases in Texas and New Mexico has put cattle producers across the country on alert. However, veterinarians and livestock industry leaders say producers in the Midwest should remain vigilant without overreacting. New World...
