IARN — Last week, President Trump signed the Defense Production Act to help get meat processing back up and running in the United States. The slowdowns and shutdowns of these packers is causing a logjam of animals that need to be processed, especially hogs. Senator Chuck Grassley said it is up to the processors to make their employees feel safe to return. Read more
Grocery Stores Facing Meat Shortages Limit Purchases
IARN — Grocery retailers start to limit meat purchases, due to supply shortages brought on by declines in meat processing.
Costco and Hy-Vee this week imposed limits on meat purchases. Costco will limit fresh beef, pork, and poultry purchases to three items per Costco member, while Hy-Vee will limit customers to four packages of a combination of fresh beef, pork, and chicken starting Wednesday. Read more
Cost-Share Funds Available For Iowa Water Quality Projects
IARN — Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that farmers and landowners can now sign up for cost-share funds through the Water Quality Initiative. The funds can be used to help install conservation practices that improve soil health and water quality, including cover crops, no-till/strip-till practices, or a nitrification inhibitor.
“During these unprecedented times when so many aspects of our lives have been disrupted by COVID-19, the conservation work has continued. There are more farmers and landowners engaged than ever before,” said Secretary Naig. “If you’ve never tried cover crops or conservation tillage, now is the time to get started. The state’s cost-share program will cover some of the initial costs, and we have local technical resources to help you integrate conservation practices into your farm.” Read more
De Jong: Planting Well Ahead Of Normal
Northwest Iowa — Farmers made some record progress putting crops in the ground last week. Warm, dry weather allowed the wheels to roll on tractors and planters, and area farmers now have most of their beans in the ground. Thirty-nine-percent of the expected corn planting got done last week, and it is the first time in several years that three-quarters of the corn crop was in the ground by May 3rd. Read more
“Optimal” Planting Conditions Put Iowa Farmers “Well Ahead Of Normal”
IARN — National Agricultural Statistics Service officials deemed six-point-one days suitable for field work during the week ending May 3. Additionally, “warm, dry weather allowed Iowa farmers to advance planting well ahead of normal.”
Ethan Crow, of Marshalltown, attributes recent planting progress to the “wonderful weather Iowa farmers have been blessed with the last two weeks.” Read more
Grain Markets Under Pressure Following Tariff Warning
IARN — President Donald Trump last week (Friday) threatened to impose new tariffs on China. His warning is in response to China’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Greg McBride, commodities broker with Allendale, Inc., believes “it is only a matter of time” until we see the President act upon his threat. Read more