News Archives
Wildfire risk contained but ongoing caution needed for livestock
After several weeks of burning, the Texas wildfires are 100% contained, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service. Now, it's time for a full assessment of the land, including the safety of the water.

2024 Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture's economic impact
The 2024 Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture’s economic impact in the United States. Micheal Clements shares more on the report, which includes state-by-state and congressional district information.

Airline industry, others stress need for sustainable aviation fuels to take off
Airlines and businesses tied to the bioeconomy are stressing how critical the right policies will be to help fully develop a market for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) that can help create a new market for farmers.

Stabenow warns against cracking farm bill coalition
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., doubled down Monday on her warning that GOP attempts to fund the farm bill through a reduction in projected spending on nutrition assistance would fracture the bipartisan, urban-rural coalition needed to pass the farm bill.

NE MO farmers say local bean market requires European Union standards
Farmers in northeast Missouri are concerned they might have to follow the European Union’s production standards if they want to market their soybeans locally this year.

Access ASTA's updated guide for locating local, professionally produced environment, conservation, and cover crop seed
The American Seed Trade Association (ASTA) updated its guide assisting farmers, landowners, and others to easily locate and contact professional seed suppliers for quality environment, conservation, and cover crop seed.

Pasture preparation webinar set for March 27
Have drought conditions and overgrazing left your pastures in rough shape? Join Iowa State University extension specialists on March 27 at noon for a free webinar to talk about the topic.

Budzinski: Democrats, Republicans can 'meet the moment' to pass a farm bill this year
An Illinois Democrat says getting a bipartisan farm bill done this year is “critically important” and that she is optimistic Congress can pass new legislation before the September deadline included in last year's extension.

Expiration of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could significantly impact family farms
The American Farm Bureau Federation says tax reform in 2025 could be more complicated if Congress fails to pass a farm bill this year.

BLM proposes new public land limits to protect greater sage grouse in 10 states
Ranchers in 10 western states could see grazing lands affected by a new Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plan to protect the greater sage grouse.

Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission file comment supporting right to repair
The Justice Department’s Antitrust Division and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have submitted a comment to the U.S. Copyright Office to advocate for regulations that would facilitate consumers’ and businesses’ right to repair their own products.

National Ag Day is Tuesday, events planned across the country
Many in the ag industry are highlighting the role agriculture plays in protecting the land, water, and air.

Senate GOP says adding conservation funds to farm bill strengthens baseline
An analysis from Senate Agriculture Committee’s GOP staff says including the Inflation Reduction Act’s conservation funding in the next farm bill could provide a boost to its baseline over time.

Weather outlook through summer 2024 could mean intense summer heat
The whiplash effect of going from three straight La Ninas to a very strong El Nino and back to La Nina in the course of the last five years is proving to be an interesting time to be a meteorologist with all sorts of crazy weather.

Grocery prices flat in February
Supermarket prices were broadly steady in February as lower costs for dairy products, fruits, pork and chicken offset increases for beef, eggs, sugar and other products.

USDA outlines vision to strengthen the American bioeconomy through a more resilient biomass supply chain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Thursday released a plan that will boost biomass supply chain resiliency for domestic biobased product manufacturing, while also advancing environmental sustainability and market opportunities for small and mid-sized producers.

$15 million available for small meat processors in low interest lows via Department of Agriculture
Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, Indiana’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development, alongside the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) Thursday announced that small and very small meat processors in need of funding can apply for a loan via ISDA.

Farm Bureau members seek answers to farm bill questions
The president of Missouri Farm Bureau says there are several unanswered questions about the next farm bill.

JBS, Tyson agree to pay $127M to settle wage-fixing lawsuit
Two of the nation's largest meatpackers have agreed to pay a combined $127.25 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over allegations that they participated in a conspiracy to lower meat industry wages.

Bayer submits XtendiMax registration application to EPA for 2025 and beyond
A new chapter in the saga of dicamba herbicides began on Monday, March 11, as Bayer once again initiated the registration process with EPA for its product, XtendiMax, for use in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton in 2025.

Agricultural producers to conserve land through climate-smart easements as part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest about $138 million of financial assistance from President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act—the largest climate investment in history—in 138 new climate-smart conservation easements, through which farmers and ranchers are conserving wetlands, grasslands and prime farmlands.

Record E85 saves California drivers $99 million, slash carbon emissions
The record use of lower-cost E85 in California saved the state’s drivers $99 million in 2023, while cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 370,000 metric tons, a new analysis from the Renewable Fuels Association shows.

Widespread showers, severe weather with large storm this week
Following a large storm system from last week that produced widespread precipitation across the country, this week will feature another big storm. Widespread precipitation, severe weather, and some snow -- all common in spring storms -- will occur with this one as well.

National Farmers Union delegates push for farm policy reforms
National Farmers Union delegates this week debated a wide variety of policy reforms, including whether or not eligibility for commodity programs, crop and livestock insurance should be limited to small and mid-size farming operations.

Tyson Foods to close Perry, Iowa pork processing plant
Tyson Foods has announced it’s permanently closing its pork packing plant in Perry, Iowa and an ag economist says he was surprised by the move.

Senators call on leadership to freeze AEWR, protecting agriculture independence
Effective January 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new annual adjustment to the Farm Labor Survey (FLS) Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) for the employment of temporary or seasonal nonimmigrant foreign workers (H–2A workers). According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the national average AEWR will be $17.55 this year, an 5.6% increase from last year. This marks the third year in a row the AEWR has increased more than 5%.
.jpg?width=320)
Rapid start for 2024 pork exports, beef export value above year-ago
U.S. pork exports raced to a great start in 2024, according to January data released by USDA and compiled by USMEF. While January beef exports were slightly below last year’s volume, export value trended significantly higher. Lamb exports were also strong in January, posting the highest value in more than four years.

Brazil's soybean, corn crops shrink further
Brazil’s equivalent of the USDA has lowered its soybean production projection for the fourth month in a row.


