Agronomic tip of the week

Corn and soybean yield keep increasing, and so do P and K removal. During the last two years many growers have not adjusted their maintenance fertilization rates to the higher yields because of high fertilizer prices. This week's tip addresses this issue.

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2008/2009 a phenomenal year for soy exports

The U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has recently released key export data for U.S. Soy Export Marketing Year 2008/2009, which ended Sept. 30. It was a phenomenal year for exports, the third record year of soybean exports in a row, with over 55 percent of the 2008 soybean crop exported.

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ISA responds to USDA crop report

According to last Friday’s USDA crop report, production is expected to be up from last year. The response from ISA leaders includes comments regarding global demand as well as weather concerns.

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Northey speaks up about budget cuts

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued a statement on Oct. 8 regarding the 10 percent across the board budget cut announced by Governor Culver that day. This cut will bring the Department’s total two-year budget cut from the beginning of FY’09 through FY’10 to 23 percent.

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World Food Prize Symposium this week in DM

This Wednesday through Friday, the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Symposium is taking place in Des Moines. Notable speakers include Bill Gates and Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, as well as the CEOs of PepsiCo, Archer Daniels Midland Co and DuPont, just to name a few. ISA, USB, WISHH and The Soyfoods Council sponsor a lunch that includes many soyfoods and gets rave reviews. (Recipes are provided.)

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Tightrope bounces on Vilsack: efforts to promote local food programs clash with production demands

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack found himself walking a tightrope Tuesday as he addressed a group of community food activists who on the one hand praise USDA for some recent initiatives to promote local foods, but on the other criticize the department for its support of production agriculture.

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Ag suppliers reaffirm Fall Nitrogen Code of Practice

The organization of farm retailers in the Raccoon and Des Moines River watersheds called Agriculture's Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) has reaffirmed its Fall Nitrogen Code of Practice, a formal agreement that members will not distribute anhydrous ammonia for fall application until soil temperatures reach specified cool temperatures.

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