Top Stories
Farm Bureau applauds House passage of 2026 farm bill
After several months of work and negotiation, the House of Representatives passed the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, also known as the farm bill, with a bipartisan vote. Brian Glenn, director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said it’s been a long time coming. Almost 400 amendments were filed for the House bill, with approximately 50 considered on the floor, and many were passed on a bipartisan basis. Glenn said all eyes are now on the Senate as the...
Lawmakers lay out farm bill priorities heading into 2024
Congressional lawmakers will try again to pass a new five-year farm bill in 2024, and some have already made out their New Year’s wish list of what to include. Conservative Republicans Chip Roy of Texas and Iowa’s Chuck Grassley stressed in a recent letter to House...
Exports and holiday treats
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service wants to remind you that exports are important to those holiday treats you may be enjoying. Whether you bake in North America or the North Pole, those holiday cookies, cakes, and candies are sure to be extra sweet and delicious,...
Remember old Christmas memories as you create new ones
Well, here we are. We finally made it to Christmas 2023. It's hard to believe just how fast this year has already flown by. I feel like we just had Christmas a month or so ago. This year finds me spending the holiday with my mother back in Minnesota. I'm happy to be...
Shipping situation remains bleak in the Panama Canal
Low water levels have not just been a problem for shipping grain on the Mississippi river this year. The Panama Canal has also had its issues as the man-made Lake Gatun which feeds the canal and powers shipping has also dipped to low levels. Lake Gatun is a man-made...
2024 livestock market outlook contains highs and lows
To say that this year was a rollercoaster in the livestock industry is an understatement. From policy changes to fluctuations in market prices and input costs, it felt like the entire marketplace could change course from week to week. Iowa Farm Bureau Economist...
Applications open for Bayer Fund’s 2024 Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship Program
In their continued effort to strengthen the future of agriculture, Bayer Fund’s Grow Ag Leaders program will once again partner with farmers to award scholarships to students pursuing careers in any agriculture-related field of study. Grow Ag Leaders Program...
Video
More Ag News
The future for Sustainable Aviation Fuel is still murky
The future of Sustainable Aviation Fuel tax treatment is still murky with questions still to be answered despite months of regulatory efforts and calls to include the treatment of SAF crops in the House farm bill. As biofuel producers and feedstock growers await...
Secretary Naig provides H5N1/HPAI update
Iowa has joined this spring’s list of states that have been affected by High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) and H5N1. It’s the same virus but has gone under a new moniker as the virus mutated to affect dairy cattle and humans. Iowa has had a few cases spring up so...
World Pork Expo holds first Youth Issues Contest
At this year’s World Pork Expo, the National Pork Producers Council launched their inaugural Young Pork Advocates Issues Meet. This competitive speaking event is aimed at young people aged 17-22 to help explore issues facing the pork industry. We talked with three of...
Grassley discusses farm bill framework from Senate Ag Republicans
This week Senator John Boozman (R-AR), the ranking member of the Senate Ag Committee, unveiled the Senate Republican-drafted framework of the farm bill. Republicans have been stating for months that there should be more “farm in the farm bill.” Senate Ag committee...
Reflecting on the outstanding “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” campaign
A marketing initiative by the Iowa Pork Producers Association went viral last football season, encouraging consumers to purchase more ham and bacon through a clever name association. Kevin Hall, Iowa Pork Producers Association Communications Director, said the idea...
