The Federal Reserve made no changes to interest rates this week and an ag economist says some cuts are likely later in the year. Creighton University’s Ernie Goss says, “They indicated there might be two rate cuts this year. I think that’s probably in line with what will actually happen. The markets took it as…… Continue Reading
Iowa farmer prepares for “dry” growing season
A northeast Iowa farmer says he’s concerned about dry conditions heading into the growing season. “We’ve had maybe two inches of snow in my yard all winter,” said Mark Mueller of Waverly. Mueller says November was when his last measurable rain event occurred. “Just as quickly as we got out of that drought, we went…… Continue Reading
Corn growers eligible for ECAP funds, Iowa Corn says
The vice president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association says he’s pleased USDA is making economic assistance a priority. The agency recently released the first $10 billion in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP) funds, and Mark Mueller tells Brownfield, “We are happy to receive the money. As you well know, the farming economic forecast has…… Continue Reading
Nutrien Ag Solutions unveils latest Innovation Farm
Delivering farmers solutions faster. Thaddeus Bates, senior manager with the Nutrien Ag Solutions Innovation Farm Network, says the company’s latest 280-acre location outside of Champaign, Illinois is bringing cutting edge in-field solutions to Midwestern farmers. “We take where all the research and development ends, partner with our suppliers, whether it be equipment, technology or products,…… Continue Reading
Red meat production falls sharply in February
U.S. commercial red meat production dropped in February as winter weather in some areas limited movement. The USDA says red meat production totaled 4.233 billion pounds, falling 7% from the record monthly high in February 2024 with reduced slaughter levels more than canceling out heavier live weights. In addition to the winter weather, production was…… Continue Reading
PACE Act to expand loan limits reintroduced
Legislation to expand federal loan limits for ag producers has been reintroduced in both the U.S. House and Senate. Minnesota Congressman Brad Finstad says the Producer and Agricultural Credit Enhancement, or PACE Act, addresses concerns about the increasing cost of farming. “And some of our traditional farm programs that USDA offers haven’t kept up with…… Continue Reading
Feenstra hopeful tariffs will benefit U.S. farmers
A U.S. Congressman is hopeful tariffs will benefit American agriculture. Randy Feenstra says the Trump administration has done a good job of leveraging the trade tactic with Canada and Mexico. “However, we’ve got to make sure Mexico keeps buying our corn. We have to make sure Brazil treats us right, Brazil has an 18 percent…… Continue Reading
Ohio issues temporary poultry ban to limit HPAI spread
The Ohio Department of Agriculture has issued a temporary ban on the movement of poultry in the western part of the state. Brian Baldridge says Ohio is still in the middle of an outbreak. “We don’t want any movement,” he says. “If we were allowing birds to come into a geographical area, let’s say in…… Continue Reading
An update on drought conditions
The associate director of the Midwest Regional Climate Center says recent rainfall has helped ease drought conditions in parts of the Ohio River Valley. Melissa Widhelm tells Brownfield, “We have some soil moisture that is below what we would like to see,” she says. “We just weren’t getting the rainfall in the central U.S. that…… Continue Reading
Cash dairy prices mostly steady-to-higher Thursday
Cash dairy prices were steady-to-higher Thursday except for nonfat dry milk on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Dry whey was up $0.01 for a third straight day at $0.48. One sale was recorded at that price. Forty-pound cheese blocks were up $0.0150 at $1.62. Four sales were recorded, ranging from $1.6050 to $1.62. Cheese barrels were…… Continue Reading
