Steve Nedved
Author's posts
Dec 21
2018 food prices unchanged to slightly higher
The USDA projects 2018 food prices will be steady to one percent higher. Analyst Annemarie Kuhns says there have been price hikes for beef, fish, eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, but that’s not the case for dairy. “We’re fairly certain dairy products will decrease in price,” said Kuhns, in comments provided by the USDA. “We’re …
Dec 21
Cheese in cold storage sets another monthly record
Another month, another record amount of cheese in cold storage. The USDA says total natural cheese supplies at the end of November were a new monthly record at 1.4 billion pounds. That’s 4% above last year as high milk production levels and export competition continue to impact demand. American cheese was up 10% on the …
Dec 21
‘The renewal season on the brink’
The first two months of the new year are farm loan renewal time, when farmers and their ag lenders meet to discuss finances and the renewing of ag loans for another season. Virginia Tech ag economist Dr. David Kohl says there will likely be some tough discussions taking place. “I call it ‘the renewal season …
Dec 21
Report: Millions of faulty Takata air bags still haven’t been replaced
Kwangmoozaa/iStock(NEW YORK) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released an update on Friday regarding the recall of faulty Takata air bags, noting that nearly one-third of the affected air bags have not been replaced. NHTSA says that repair rates among the recalled air bags increased by 30 percent in 2018. Still, nearly 17 million …
Dec 21
Luke Bryan and his fellow American Idol judges exchange “crappy” Secret Santa gifts
ABC/Craig SjodinAfter sharing a judges’ table on American Idol, Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, and Lionel Richie have gotten to know each other pretty well. So well, in fact, that they decided to do a little Secret Santa gift exchange this year…with hilarious results. In a video of the gift exchange posted on American Idol’s socials, Katy is the first one to bestow her …
Dec 21
Carrie Underwood struggles with pregnancy insomnia: “Imma lose my mind!”
ABC/Image Group LACarrie Underwood is in the home stretch of her pregnancy, but she’s still experiencing a challenge or two. The “Love Wins” singer admits she’s currently struggling with pregnancy insomnia. “Dear pregnancy insomnia, Please go bother someone else…like dads. Go bother dads,” she shares on Twitter at 4 a.m. “My husband sleeps so soundly and peacefully and …
Dec 21
‘A life distinguished by service and sacrifice’: Chicago police gather to mourn young officer struck, killed by train
WLS-TV(CHICAGO) — Police and politicians gathered Friday to “honor a life distinguished by service and sacrifice” at the funeral for Chicago police officer Conrad Gary, who was struck and killed by a train in the line of duty Monday. Gary was an Air Force sergeant who served overseas before spending 18 months at the Chicago …
Dec 21
Chinese officials visit Iowa to learn more about ethanol
A leading grain bin manufacturer recently welcomed a Chinese delegation interested in ethanol. Steve Sukup, CFO of northern Iowa-based Sukup Manufacturing, says China is looking for ways to reduce air emissions, and ethanol offers a cleaner burning fuel. “I think the sky’s the limit if they really get onto the ethanol market. In the U.S. …
Dec 21
Is price ratio enough to increase corn acres?
Not every financial indicator points to more corn and less soybeans in 2019. University of Minnesota Extension soybean agronomist Seth Naeve says the prevailing thought is soybeans won’t be as profitable mostly because of the trade dispute with China. “On the other hand, we have the more urgent issue (of) just getting the resources to …
Dec 21
New farm bill provides more ARC-PLC flexibility
The new farm bill signed by President Trump gives farmers more flexibility in deciding between the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. Iowa State University farm management specialist Steve Johnson says the first decision will be made next summer. “I would guess most farmers are going to come back to PLC …
