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Ernst builds on USDA food safety center announcement
Following up on last week’s announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about establishing a National Food Safety Center in Iowa, more details are emerging about what that move means for the state and the broader ag industry. The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is planning to locate the new center in Urbandale, creating a hub for administrative, technical, and support functions as part of a broader effort to modernize the agency and better align it with production...
Get ahead and stay ahead of weed issues in 2026
As farmers develop their spring burndown programs, they need options to not only get ahead of weeds but maintain that control throughout the season. Including a residual herbicide, like Perpetuo® Herbicide, in pre-emergence tank mixes can help corn growers strengthen...
Demand for used agriculture equipment remains strong
The used agriculture equipment market continues to stay hot as farmers look for ways to save money in a time of tight margins. Mike Price is a territory sales manager with Purple Wave Auction and he says Purple Wave is placing an emphasis on used ag equipment right...
USDA unveils plan to cut red tape and legal pressures on farmers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday launched the Farmer and Rancher Freedom Framework — a policy initiative designed to shield producers from what the department calls politically motivated legal actions and regulatory overreach. Secretary Brooke Rollins...
Small machines with big impact on Iowa farms
Utility vehicles may not always be the largest machines on an operation, but John Deere says they are often among the most used. As farms continue to look for efficiency in daily tasks, the company says feedback from producers is shaping how newer Gator models are...
Doubts around year-round E15 linger
Agreement on legislation to allow year-round E15 sales continued to elude farm and oil interests despite a Sunday deadline. A draft plan by the House GOP’s Rural Domestic Energy Council failed to win support by the weekend from mid-sized oil refiners who killed...
U.S. and Taiwan sign reciprocal trade agreement
Last week, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the signing of a reciprocal trade agreement between the U.S. and Taiwan. U.S. Meat Export Federation President and CEO Dan Halstrom said the agreement includes significant market access gains for U.S....
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Iowa Soybean Association is evolving to face ag industry issues
This year’s Commodity Classic in San Antonio saw a record number of farmers in attendance. In many discussions throughout the event, it was clear that farmers are prepared to give this crop season their all, no matter what challenges they may face. Aaron Putze, chief...
Expanding export markets for U.S. biofuels
Deputy Agriculture Secretary Stephen Vaden is bullish on export opportunities for U.S. produced biofuels. Vaden was a speaker at this year’s USDA Ag Outlook Forum and says the potential for biofuel exports is ever expanding. Vaden says that U.S. biofuels are a key...
SNAP funding debate slows farm bill markup process
The House Ag farm bill markup has entered its second day, but the key stumbling block to a bipartisan bill has now come into sharp focus. The fight over SNAP versus farm programs has kept a new farm bill off the books for at least three years. Republicans got around...
Secretary Naig extends popular cattle and conservation working lands project
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced a three-year extension of the popular, farmer-led Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Project. The extension renews program agreements in Taylor, Page, Carroll, Cherokee, Guthrie, and Ida counties through...
Cutting input costs key for Iowa farmers
As farmers prepare for the 2026 growing season, managing input costs remains a top priority. With tighter margins across much of agriculture, many producers are looking for ways to improve efficiency while still protecting yield potential. Shane Brockhoff, who works...
