IARN — Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley recently made a two-week swing through southwest and northwest Iowa as part of his 99-county tour. During visits to 24 counties, Grassley says he spoke with several Iowa pork producers who expressed stepped-up basis and estate tax concerns. Read more
South American weather and crop update (4-13-2021)
IARN — Brazilian second crop corn farmers are bracing for potential yield losses due to recent pockets of dry and hot weather. Read more
Midwest governors hear flood brief from Army Corps
IARN — Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently joined governors from Missouri and Nebraska to discuss the recovery progress from the devastating Missouri River flooding of 2019. Read more
Iowa weather outlook for second half of April
IARN — Iowa farmers are already working in the fields for the 2021 spring planting season. State Climatologist Dr. Justin Glisan recently provided a weather outlook for the second half of the month. Read more
USMEF economist comments on Philippine tariff rate cut
IARN — The U.S. Meat Export Federation continues to review last week’s announcement from the Philippines that it will temporarily lower tariff rates for imported pork muscle cuts. Read more
CoBank: U.S. economy gaining momentum
IARN — The U.S. economy continues to outperform expectations as stimulus funds are fueling robust consumer spending. Forecasts point to seven percent GDP growth for 2021, the fastest rate of expansion since 1984, according to CoBank. The transition to a less COVID-restricted world has begun. But for the economy and rural industries, CoBank says there will be no going back to pre-COVID conditions. Researchers say the focus in Washington is shifting from crisis management to building for the future, and the outcomes will reshape rural economies. Read more