Top Stories
Screwworm far from Iowa, but worth watching
New World Screwworm remains hundreds of miles from Iowa, with confirmed cases confined to parts of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico. While there is no indication the pest is moving into Iowa anytime soon, state officials say it's important for livestock producers to understand the risks and remain aware of the situation. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the New World Screwworm fly is not a new insect to the United States. It was successfully eradicated from the country decades ago, and...
Meals on Wheels providing food and company to isolated seniors
The holiday season is a joyous time for most of us as we gather with our families, enjoy great meals, and share gifts with each other. For some people, though, the holidays can be a difficult time to get through. All across Iowa, there are many seniors who spend the...
Dairy checkoff highlights work in 2024
The dairy checkoff continues to find ways to grow sales and build trust in dairy. Dairy Management Inc. President and CEO Barbara O’Brien said one of the key areas of focus is growing the checkoff’s longtime commitment to research and science and working with...
Record NRCS program acreage enrollment
2024 was a record year for acreage enrollment in USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. In fiscal year 2024, 11 million acres were enrolled in the programs says NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. He says the increase in conservation program investments along with...
USDA invests in domestic fertilizer production
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says his agency is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers, and lower food costs for U.S. consumers. “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we...
Continuing resolution called “dead”. Government shutdown looms
Earlier this week we heard from Representative Zach Nunn from Iowa’s 3rd District, and he talked about important Ag measures that were going to be included in the proposed Continuing Resolution to fund the government. It was going to include another one-year extension...
Protecting small businesses from the CTA
Recently, enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was put on hold. In theory, the CTA is designed to weed out any money laundering schemes, terrorism financing, and tax fraud. In practice, however, Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the CTA places an...
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More Ag News
Friendly April WASDE report meets quiet market expectations
With the intense volatility we are experiencing in the ag economy right now, the commodity markets are closely watching every single headline that pops up in the news. Today brought the release of the April WASDE report, which is the first major ag report to be...
Tariff volatility continues with 90-day pause
The past week has been full of tariff whiplash. President Trump yesterday announced a 90-day pause in the reciprocal tariffs in place on many U.S. trading partners. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the...
Ag economist says outlook for ag is not promising
One of the country's leading ag economists says the economic forecast for agriculture in 2025 and beyond does not look promising. Dr. Joe Outlaw, a professor and extension economist at Texas A&M University, says that the forecast for ag in the next five years...
ICPB to hold director elections for USDA crop reporting districts 2, 5, 7 and 9
Since 1978, Iowa corn farmers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board® (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff program. On July 15, 2025, corn farmers in crop reporting districts 2, 5, 7 and 9 can vote...
Beef still rules the meat case
Despite ongoing economic uncertainty and rising grocery prices, beef has defied expectations at the meat counter. Historically, tighter household budgets tend to push consumers toward more affordable proteins like pork and chicken. Yet, in a surprising shift, beef has...
