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Appeals court rules against Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
An appeals court recently ruled against the president’s authority on tariffs. However, the playing field stays the same for now. The Federal Court of Appeals recently decided that President Donald Trump does not have the power to set tariffs on imports based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs for the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the court decision reaffirmed an earlier decision made by a lower court. Despite the...
Grassley discusses SNAP state cost-share and reconciliation bill
The Senate parliamentarian who ensures that legislative rules and procedure are being followed in the chamber has ruled against a key funding provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful tax and spending bill. Elizabeth MacDonough says the SNAP state cost share...
Hoover Building is the new home of IDALS
As of July 1, 2025, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will call the Hoover State Office Building home. After more than four decades in the Henry A. Wallace State Office Building, the Department will depart the building at the end of June. The...
Pork finds wins and worries in MAHA report (Part 2)
In Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Ashley Johnson of the National Pork Producers Council, we looked at the pork industry's positives and concerns about the recently released MAHA report. While the science behind meat’s role in a healthy diet was reaffirmed,...
Secretary Rollins discusses efforts to boost soy exports amid tariff uncertainty
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says despite the trade uncertainty from President Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs, USDA is working to increase US farm exports, including soybeans. When the top House Ag Democrat asked at an oversight hearing what USDA was doing to boost...
U.S. headed toward record ag trade deficit
The U.S. agricultural trade deficit is widening in 2025, driven by shifting global trade dynamics and rising import demand. USDA’s Outlook for U.S. Agricultural Trade report provides projections for exports and imports, offering insight into current trade trends. From...
U.S. pork featured in new convenience snacks in Mexico
U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) staff in Mexico have worked alongside processors and convenience store chains to develop new snack items featuring U.S. pork designed to be consumed at sporting events, music festivals, and even on flights. USMEF Mexico Trade...
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Providing an extra boost to Iowa water quality projects
As the central Iowa water restrictions continue, organizations are working hard to do whatever they can to get the nitrate levels in the water back down to a safe level. For years, the Great Outdoors Foundation (GOF) has been working with its partners to mitigate...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-8-25)
The weather is still mostly the same in South America, but there is finally some rain forecasted for some of the production areas in Argentina. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride gave an update on the latest weather forecasts. While Brazil’s safrinha harvest...
Reconciliation bill contains good news for ethanol and biofuels
The Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law over the weekend and critics argue that it did away with clean energy initiatives. However, Geoff Cooper, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, disagrees from the viewpoint of ethanol and biofuels. Cooper says...
Secretary Naig announces new water quality project in central Iowa’s Beaver Creek Watershed
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is partnering with the Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District and other public and private partners to launch a new Water Quality...
Iowa pork producers urged to share priorities
Maintaining the health of the U.S. hog herd has always required constant vigilance against animal disease threats. In recent years, much of the attention has centered on global concerns, such as African Swine Fever, with biosecurity efforts ramping up to prevent it...
