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Stay food safe as grilling season kicks off
The Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of the summer grilling season. USDA’s Food Safety Expert Meredith Carothers said with the warmer weather, it’s important to protect against food safety risks. Carothers said the two-hour rule about leaving perishable food outside and not in a refrigerator still applies in avoiding foodborne illness. If you’re cooking outdoors without access to a water faucet, she recommends soap, bottled water, and paper towels to clean the grill. Carothers also...
EPA’s Regan hears counter argument to EVs in Senate hearing
During a recent Senate hearing in Washington D.C., Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan heard criticisms from lawmakers regarding the Biden administration’s push for increased electric vehicle use via regulation. Wyoming GOP Senator Cynthia...
Grassley and Ernst lead Iowa delegation in asking for federal aid
Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Joni Ernst (R-IA) led the state’s delegation in calling on USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to swiftly approve Iowa’s request for federal assistance. Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig made the request on...
School breakfast programs start to incorporate meat again
When it comes to creating a marketplace for our products, we tend to put a lot of focus on developing international markets. That is good because we produce far more food than we hope to consume. However, we cannot afford to overlook the demand we can create here at...
Grassley wary of Chinese response to increased tariffs
On Tuesday President Biden announced a surge of increased tariffs on imported Chinese products under Section 301 of 1974’s Trade Act. The tariff hikes will be applied to $18 billion worth of imports from China including electric vehicle batteries and computer chips....
Hog prices much more stable now than a year ago
After soaring to yearly highs recently, the hog prices, along with the rest of the livestock, have come back down to earth. While we would’ve liked to maintain those higher levels, it’s important to remember that hog prices were considerably worse just a year ago....
Deadline approaching for century and heritage farm applications
The June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today. The program, which was created in...
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U.S. Export Sales Report (10-10-24)
The positive trend for export sales continued with another great report from the USDA. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest numbers. While flash sales have also been consistent, McBride said they’ve also been pretty minor. McBride also...
Farm to School month educates students on agriculture
October is National Farm to School month, when schools and farmers alike can celebrate the fresh foods grown by local farmers and served to local students. Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs, said a recent grant...
Animal disease traceability rule coming in November
The U.S. cattle industry will have a new level of disease protection next month when USDA’s enhanced animal disease traceability rule takes effect. Rapid response to an animal disease outbreak is the aim of the new USDA traceability rule, with its visual checks and...
Secretary Naig announces the establishment of the farm deer advisory council
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the establishment of the Farm Deer Advisory Council within the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and appointed seven Iowa farmers to serve on it. A similar Iowa Farm Deer Council previously...
Hurricane Milton will directly affect fertilizer production in the U.S.
Yesterday we talked about the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. While there was a lot of damage to agriculture and farms in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, there wasn't a lot of effect on the industry nationwide. It looks like this time around, that will change....
