Top Stories
Examining the process of becoming Prop 12 compliant
The future of California Proposition 12 is uncertain. Currently, there is no legislation to address it in the Senate Farm Bill, but several swine industry groups are still hard at work to get something included in the final version. If the farm bill were to move forward without any Prop 12 legislation, the big question becomes this: what will the transition look like for swine producers across the country? Brent Hershey, owner and president of Hershey Ag, has already made the transition over...
NCBA provides update on status of New World screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was notified late last fall about the detection of New World screwworm in Mexico. Since then, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) has worked closely with USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)...
NRCS celebrates 90 years of service
The 90th anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service was recognized Friday in ceremonies at USDA headquarters in Washington DC. NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt says the NRCS has played a large role in conservation efforts nationwide, but that work was also...
Off-farm income keeping some operations afloat
For most U.S. farm households, income from off-farm jobs like teaching, driving a bus, or managing a bank branch helps keep an operation running. In 2023, an AFBF Market Intel Report says 23 percent of farm household income for farm families comes from farming itself,...
IDALS supports urban & rural initiatives for clean water
As we kick off National Soil and Water Conservation Week, we realize that water quality has long been a hot-button issue in Iowa, drawing attention from communities across the state. While much of the spotlight has been on how farmers are working to protect and...
EPA grants summertime E15 fuel waiver
On Monday the Environmental Protection Agency announced an emergency fuel waiver to allow the summertime sale of E15 in 2025. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says her group is grateful for the announcement. Skor says the emergency waiver will save drivers money at the...
Corn grower groups urging Ford to stand with rural America
The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), alongside more than 20 other state corn organizations and the National Corn Growers Association, is formally calling on Ford Motor Company to reinstate its production of Flex Fuel Vehicles (FFVs) and reengage in advancing...
Video
More Ag News
Some farmers in Iowa dealing with pollination problems
We have been reading reports across the country this growing season about issues with pollination in corn. Northwest Iowa Beck’s Hybrids agronomist Eric Bartels says those issues have also been found in northwest Iowa but are not widespread. He adds that reports of...
Proper grain storage is critical during summer months
Proper grain storage is critical during these hot summer months, especially with the heat dome that is sitting over most of Iowa. Effective management of a few key factors can give farmers the flexibility to hold onto their stored grain until market conditions are the...
Recent Iowa weather conducive to tar spot development
Tar spot has been a major issue in Iowa for several years now, with this year being no different. While pressure from tar spot right now is minimal, the recent weather may cause it to ramp up in the next few weeks. Last year was an example of how detrimental tar spot...
EPA proposed registering Dicamba again
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to re-register Dicamba herbicide for over-the-top application on cotton and soybeans. Successful Farming says there will be restrictions intended to limit possible ecological harm. Dicamba has been blamed for...
GROWMARK applauds 199A extension
Farmers and cooperatives across the country are seeing some long-awaited tax clarity thanks to a key provision in the recently passed federal tax legislation. Chuck Spencer, Executive Director of Corporate and Government Relations at GROWMARK, says Section 199A for...
