News Archives
Research aims to develop boars more tolerant of gestational heat stress
In utero heat stress of boars is a significant threat to pork production, and a University of Nebraska–Lincoln reproductive physiologist is leading a research team that aims to develop boars that are more genetically tolerant of gestational heat stress.

USTR confirms tariff cutting not on the Biden trade agenda
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Thursday rebuffed appeals from senators to begin negotiating trade agreements that would cut tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports.
(Photo by Lydia Johnson)

Minnesota seeks to regulate neonic seed
The environmental disaster at a former ethanol plant in Mead, Nebraska, has sparked concern in other states -- most recently in Minnesota.
Council signs ethanol MOU in Panama; USDA Undersecretary Taylor witnesses
The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) hosted a regional seminar in Panama City, Panama, held on Mar. 21-22, that brought together critical stakeholders and high-level government officials from Central American (CTA) countries and the Dominican Republic to learn about and discuss the technical aspects, benefits and challenges of ethanol and gasoline blending in the region.

FBN report shows extreme chemical price differences in 2022
A report from the Farmers Business Network shows there was unprecedented price variation for some major ag inputs in 2022.

Water quality expert shares common pond concerns that can be addressed this spring
As outdoor temperatures warm and ice begins to thaw, ponds can provide an outdoor retreat for many Iowans. In this article, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach water quality program manager Catherine DeLong discusses best practices when treating or preventing common pond problems.

Federal Court in North Dakota weighs granting WOTUS injunction
Though the WOTUS rule took effect on March 20, the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota also is considering a motion filed by the states for a preliminary injunction.
USDA moving to let states expand free school meals
USDA is proposing a rules change that would allow more schools to offer free meals to all students regardless of their income.

Taylor leads first agribusiness trade mission in Panama
A USDA trade mission in Panama this week is working to expand market opportunities for US ag goods.

Federal Reserve issues FOMC statement
The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 4-3/4 to 5 percent.

The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers offers $10,000 reward in Allamakee County vandalism cases
The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has announced a $10,000 reward to assist the Allamakee County sheriff’s department for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in livestock farm vandalism cases endangering livestock in late December or early January in the eastern part of the county.

Food and ag economy surpassing pre-pandemic levels
The latest Feeding the Economy report finds the economic output of the food and ag industries increased in every state during 2022.

Five major fertilizer prices decrease significantly
Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second full week of March 2023 continue to show lower levels. This trend has been in place for two and a half months.

PepsiCo announces $216 million investment in long-term partnerships to support regenerative agriculture
PepsiCo today announces a $216 million multi-year investment in long-term, strategic partnership agreements with three of the most well-respected farmer-facing organizations – Practical Farmers of Iowa (PFI), Soil and Water Outcomes Fund (SWOF), and the IL Corn Growers Association (ICGA) – to drive adoption of regenerative agriculture practices across the United States.

Lawmakers push to use farm bill funds to stop research slide
Congress is under pressure to finally put a significant amount of farm bill funding toward reversing a decades-long decline in public research funding that has seen facilities decay even as universities and companies struggle to find new scientists.

Custom farm rate results released in Iowa
Many Iowa farmers hire some custom machine work in their farm business or perform custom work for others. Others rent machinery or perform other services. In order to help producers and custom operators examine the market, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publishes the Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey.

President Biden proclaims March 21 National Ag Day
President Joe Biden has proclaimed March 21, 2023 National Ag Day. This year marks the seventh year that The White House has publicly recognized National Ag Day as a salute to the contributions of America’s farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses.

Court puts WOTUS hold in Texas, Idaho
A federal judge in Texas granted a preliminary injunction on Sunday, halting the Biden administration's waters of the U.S. rule in Texas and Idaho, pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas and several industry groups including the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Vilsack: USDA meat label plan won't spark trade dispute
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed confidence Monday that the USDA’s plan for voluntary country-of-origin labeling of U.S. meat won't spark trade disputes with its North American trading partners.

United States and Kenya to hold first negotiating round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership
The United States and Kenya will hold an in-person negotiating round under their Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Kenya from April 17-20, 2023.

Who's responsible for a carbon contract?
An ag lawyer is raising concerns about what landowners are committing to in carbon credit contracts.

UN: Ukraine grain export deal renewed
Russia, Ukraine and Turkey have agreed to renew the Black Sea Grain Initiative and allow Ukrainian wheat, corn and other farm commodities to continue flowing out of Odesa ports as the war rages on, according to a statement by the United Nations on Saturday, the last day for the deal to be extended.

Protect profit as bearish concerns grow
DTN Lead Analyst Todd Hultman said this year is one that's likely to reward early marketing and increased crop insurance coverage.
Bennet, Marshall introduce bill to spur cutting edge research in American agriculture
Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) introduced the Advancing Cutting Edge (ACE) Agriculture Act to support high-risk, high-reward agricultural research and development at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

February cattle placements drop 7% on year
The USDA says the number of cattle placed into U.S. feedlots in February fell sharply.

USDA announces $15.8 million in farm bill funding to protect animal health
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is awarding $15.8 million to 60 projects led by 38 states, land-grant universities, and industry organizations to enhance our nation’s ability to rapidly respond to and control animal disease outbreaks.

Bayer makes case on Roundup labels
Seeking to end Roundup cancer claims across the country, Bayer argued in a brief filed in a federal appeals court this week that federal law pre-empts state laws when determining whether product-warning labels are necessary.
Vilsack defends SNAP increase, CCC spending before Senate Ag
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack pushed back against Republican criticism of spending under the SNAP program and from the Commodity Credit Corp. at a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing Thursday focused on the farm bill.


