Top Stories
Farm bill draft reignites debate over pesticide regulation
The newly introduced farm bill proposal is drawing sharp reactions from environmental advocates over provisions that could reshape pesticide regulation nationwide. The legislation, backed by leaders in Congress and informed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency framework, aims to create more uniform standards across states. Supporters argue the changes would reduce regulatory fragmentation and provide farmers with clearer guidance when using crop protection tools. They say consistent...
USDA Bridge Assistance Payments already reaching farmers
Farmers across the country are already signing up for the new Farmer Bridge Assistance payments through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The program was designed to provide short term financial relief to producers ahead of the 2026 growing season, and USDA...
House Ag Committee approves Farm Bill 2.0 with bipartisan support
Last week, the House Ag Committee passed Farm Bill 2.0, which means that the legislation will now be up to the full House of Representatives for consideration. This is great news for the ag industry, as much of the legislation from the 2018 farm bill is far outdated....
U.S. beef regaining market share in Colombia
U.S. beef exports to Colombia rebounded last year, climbing 23% in volume (4,232 metric tons) and 77% in value ($40.8 million) compared to 2024 – when the Colombian government-imposed restrictions on U.S. beef due to avian influenza detected in some U.S. dairy herds....
New seed delivery system designed to deliver more even emergence
Agriculture technology is always striving to make improvements to equipment that can enhance a farmer’s ability to optimize performance. ArrowTube is the latest piece of ag technology from Precision Planting and was on display at the PTx booth at this year’s Commodity...
Pesticide liability debate intensifies in farm bill fight
A growing dispute over pesticide regulations has emerged as a key flashpoint in negotiations over the next federal farm bill. Lawmakers debated provisions that would limit state authority over pesticide labeling and protect manufacturers from certain lawsuits if...
Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids
Agriculture’s role in eastern Iowa will be recognized later this month as the annual Celebration of Ag event returns to Cedar Rapids. The event brings together farmers, agribusiness leaders, community members, and local officials to highlight agriculture’s importance...
Video
More Ag News
New biomanufacturing device makes biological production more accessible
Researchers at Iowa State University (ISU) have developed a biomanufacturing device that could make it much more feasible for companies to produce biological products on a small scale. Funded by BioMADE, the Continuous Taylor Vortex Fermentor-Extractor-Separator...
What to expect in the Prospective Plantings Report
The 2026 USDA Prospective Plantings Report is scheduled for release on Tuesday March 31st. The report surveys farmer planting intentions for major crops, including corn, soybeans, wheat, and more. This report gives us the first real snapshot of what planted acreage...
Searching for Iowa’s Best Burger
For those searching for the best burger in Iowa, the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are making the quest easier as they announce the top 10 finalists in the 17th annual Iowa’s Best Burger Contest. More than 350 restaurants were...
2025 saw almost record volume and value for pork exports
2025 proved to be another strong year for U.S. pork exports, with a volume of 2.9 million metric tons. This is three percent shy of the 2024 record, but it was still the third highest on record. Value was three percent down from 2024’s record but the second highest...
Understanding soil variability can improve crop management
Understanding what is happening below the soil surface can help farmers make more precise agronomic decisions and better target their input investments. New tools are allowing growers and agronomists to collect more detailed soil data that can reveal variability...
