IARN — Environmental policy is a hot topic these past few months in Washington, and around the country. The Biden Administration campaigned heavily on improving the environment and combatting climate change. Biofuels have long said that they can be a part of those plans. However, there are calls for updating the data concerning biofuels at the United States Department of Agriculture. One Iowa Senator is one of those asking for updates to the modeling. Read more
NCBA: Grassley bill “not solution industry needs”
IARN — Senator Chuck Grassley this week introduced legislation to address transparency in the cattle market. The Iowa Republican, along with a bipartisan group of Senators, says the bill intends to foster efficient markets while increasing competition and transparency among meatpackers who purchase livestock directly from independent producers. This bipartisan bill will require that a minimum of 50 percent of a meat packer’s weekly volume of beef slaughter be purchased on the open or spot market. Read more
Corn exports very strong in latest USDA report
IARN — As expected, U.S. corn exports were extremely high on the latest weekly U.S. Export Sales Report released Thursday. Read more
Starting a soil pH maintenance program with Calcium Products
IARN — Ames-based Calcium Products continues to help educate producers about the benefits of a soil pH maintenance program. Read more
Suez Canal blocked by giant ship, jeopardizes worldwide shipping
IARN — Egypt’s Suez Canal remains blocked by a skyscraper-sized cargo ship, backing up hundreds of other vessels along the crucial waterway. Read more
Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report shows inventory down 2 percent
IARN — USDA’s Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report on Thursday revealed inventory on March 1st was 74.8 million head, down 2 percent from a year ago. Read more