Author: staff

Before Dr. Peggy Whitson became America’s most experienced astronaut — accumulating 675 days in space between her three NASA long-duration space flights and the Axiom Mission 2 — she was a farm girl near the town of Beaconsfield in southwest Iowa.  From an early age, Whitson saw her parents put in more than full-time hours on the family farm. “That work ethic is something I really admired, and I tried to follow in their footsteps having that kind of determination and drive to stick to it and get the job done,” she says. “That farmer mindset was ingrained in me…

Top Third Ag Marketing helps farmers become better agricultural marketers with the goal of marketing crops and livestock in the top third of prices. Mark Gold and his team provide AGDAILY.com with the latest information and a look ahead in their audio commentary. Listen here! https://www.agdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/top-third-agdaily-2025-01-21.mp3 The post Markets in Minutes: Top Third looks ahead for week of Jan. 21, 2025 appeared first on AGDAILY.

On Tuesday Jan. 14 Peoples Co. hosted the 17th annual Land Investment Expo at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. In case you missed it, below are five of my takeaways from the conference. 1. You Could Lose Money on a Solar Contract dan tarradellas, Getty Images During the morning breakout session I sat in on “Deploying Solar on Farmland: A Deep Dive into Business Models.” A variety of considerations for joining a solar project were discussed but the one that stuck out to me the most is if you own highly-productive and valuable farmland, such as…

DAILY Bites President Trump plans to impose 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada starting February 1, marking a significant change in U.S. trade policy. The executive order mandates a review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement and instructs agencies to investigate trade deficits, unfair practices, and the impact of stricter trade policies on fentanyl and migrant flows. Mexico and Canada are key agricultural trade partners for the U.S., with significant exports to both countries, making potential disruptions a concern for U.S. farmers and ranchers. DAILY Discussion On Monday, newly inaugurated President Donald Trump announced plans to impose 25 percent tariffs on Mexico…

The National Dairy Herd Information Association Scholarship Committee selected 18 high school seniors and college students to receive a $1,000 scholarship. Committee members ranked applicants based on scholastic achievements, leadership in school and community activities, and responses to DHI- and career-related questions. To be eligible for a National DHIA scholarship, applicants must be a family member or employee of a herd on DHI test, a family member of a DHI employee, or an employee of a DHI affiliate. The DHI affiliate for the herd or affiliate employee must be a National DHIA member. This year’s National DHIA scholarship recipients are:…

DAILY Bites Vilsack called for expedited approval of inspection facilities to safely resume cattle imports from Mexico following a screwworm outbreak. Emergency funding increased sterile fly production fivefold, bolstering efforts to combat New World Screwworm in Mexico and prevent further spread. Cattle import suspension reduced U.S. supply by up to 300,000 head, affecting the market but supporting feeder cattle prices. DAILY Discussion Outgoing U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack addressed a letter to Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture Julio Antonio Berdegué on Friday addressing efforts to restore cattle trade between the two nations following the detection of new world screwworm…

The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has launched Building Your Livestock Legacy Program, a new mentorship program. It is a self-guided online mentorship program hosted on Google Classroom that “connects aspiring livestock farmers with essential financial resources and/or with established farmers who want to pass their farm operation onto the next generation,” CSIF said in a press release.  Farmers interested in participating in the program can log on to supportfarmers.com or call CSIF at 800-932-2436. Participants will engage with a series of 20–25 video lessons led by industry experts, covering a range of topics such as financing, marketing, and…

By Ryan Hanrahan Reuters’ David Lawder, Andrea Shalal, and Jarrett Renshaw reported Monday evening that “President Donald Trump did not immediately impose tariffs on Monday as previously promised but said he was thinking about imposing 25% duties on imports from Canada and Mexico on Feb. 1 over illegal immigrants and fentanyl crossing into the U.S.” “As he was sworn into office, Trump stopped well short of a swift tariff action against the two U.S. neighbors, but directed federal agencies to investigate persistent U.S. trade deficits and unfair trade practices and alleged currency manipulation by other countries,” Lawder, Shalal, and Renshaw…

Agricultural ethanol production has emerged as a key player in the movement toward sustainable energy, offering a range of economic, environmental, and social benefits. As countries strive to reduce their carbon footprint and seek alternatives to fossil fuels, ethanol — particularly derived from crops like corn and sugarcane — has provided a renewable and cleaner-burning fuel source that supports rural economies and enhances energy security. 1. Boosting rural economies and supporting farmers One of the most significant benefits of ethanol production is its positive impact on rural communities and agricultural economies. Ethanol production increases demand for crops such as corn,…

DAILY Bites Avian flu confirmed in a commercial flock, threatening the state’s poultry industry. Poultry is Georgia’s #1 industry, the disease’s spread threatens this industry.  Biosecurity urged with USDA advises testing birds, avoiding untreated water, and limiting wild bird contact. DAILY Discussion For the first time since the nationwide outbreak began in 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza has struck a commercial poultry operation in Georgia. As the nation’s leading poultry producer, Georgia’s poultry industry is a cornerstone of its economy, and this development poses significant challenges. “This is a serious threat to Georgia’s No. 1 industry and the livelihoods of…