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Fertilizer price probe opens as farm margins tighten
The Federal Trade Commission has opened an industrywide investigation into fertilizer prices after sharp increases during spring planting. Reuters reported that FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson said the agency is using civil investigative demands to gather documents and testimony. The probe comes as growers face higher fertilizer and fuel costs, drought in parts of the Plains and another year of narrow margins. Reuters said urea prices have climbed 55% since shipping through the Strait of Hormuz...
Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award nomination deadline extended to May 22nd
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has extended the deadline for nominations for the 2026 Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award. The deadline to nominate a farmer or farm family is now Friday, May 22. The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award...
NASA technology helping farmers from space
Interest in NASA and America’s return to the Moon has surged again following the Artemis missions and the growing focus on deep space exploration. But while much of the public attention is focused on rockets and astronauts, NASA says some of its most important work is...
Encouraging Iowa consumers to buy more food locally
Every year, Iowans spend approximately $12.6 billion on food. Unfortunately, much of that money does not stay within the state. In order to bring some of this spending back to Iowa, the Iowa Food System Coalition has launched the Iowa Local Food Challenge. By inviting...
Farm industry is navigating challenging times
There’s no doubt it’s been a rough go for the U.S. agricultural sector in recent years. Rob Larew, the president of the National Farmers Union, said the passage of the farm bill out of the House provides a bit of hope. Larew said it was disappointing to see year-round...
House farm bill amendment blocks foreign adversaries from buying U.S. farmland
Foreign adversaries are barred from buying U.S. farmland under an amendment added to the House farm bill which recently passed in the House by voice vote. The bill was introduced by Florida Republican Greg Steube. Much of the land referred to by Steube is located near...
DOJ confirms probe into beef processors
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an antitrust investigation into the nation’s beef processing industry, raising concerns about market concentration and its impact on cattle producers. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said officials are examining whether...
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More Ag News
Western drought intensifies despite Midwest rainfall
Recent rainfall across Iowa and much of the eastern Midwest has helped improve soil moisture conditions heading into the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says many areas farther west continue battling intensifying drought conditions. Speaking...
TQA certification promotes efficient and safe animal handling
Transport Quality Assurance®, or TQA, focuses on practical, real-world skills that help handlers and drivers move pigs humanely and efficiently. Stephanie Wetter with the National Pork Board says the program is updated every three years to ensure continuous...
Grassley sows doubt on farm bill’s Senate prospects
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the farm bill on April 30th by a 224–200 vote. With passage through the House, this is the furthest a farm bill has advanced since 2018. However, despite passage in the House, the farm bill still has a long way...
U.S. red meat exports were strong in March
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said increased year-over-year to...
Secretary Naig announces first round of 2026 urban water quality projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the first-round of 2026 urban water quality projects, marking the start of a multi-phase investment that will bring new conservation practices to communities of all sizes across the state. These locally led...
