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PQA Plus program helps build trust with consumers
The Pork Quality Assurance® Plus, or PQA Plus®, program helps pig farmers and their employees continually improve animal care practices. Illinois pork producer Paul Ayers says the industry reevaluates the PQA program every three years to ensure it stays relevant, science-based, and aligned with the evolving needs of producers and consumers alike. The latest version was released earlier this summer. More than 55,000 industry professionals are PQA certified, and this unified program allows state...
Another successful Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade concludes in Mount Pleasant
The 26th Annual Great Eastern Iowa Tractorcade wrapped up on Wednesday with a day three route northeast of Mount Pleasant and a return to Mount Pleasant for lunch and a closing ceremony. Each year a different host city is homebase for the Tractorcade with the Old...
John Deere must face right-to-repair lawsuit
A court ruling determined that agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere must face a lawsuit by the Federal Trade Commission, which accuses the company of forcing farmers to use its authorized dealer network. A judge ruled that drove up farmers’ costs for repairs...
Governor’s Veto Highlights Ag Policy Divide
The battle over House File 639 continues to intensify after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds vetoed the bill on Wednesday. The legislation aims at the use of eminent domain in Iowa, a topic that’s become increasingly contentious amid proposals for carbon capture pipelines...
NPPC President-elect preparing to lead organization next year
The World Pork Expo, held every year at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, is an excellent opportunity for pork industry leaders to gather and discuss the top issues they are facing. National Pork Producers Council President-Elect Rob Brenneman is...
Farmers expressing more concerns about Trump’s tariffs
Farmers and other businesspeople are watching the Trump administration's trade strategy very carefully as tariffs, which could directly affect their bottom line, go up and down and back again. Brian Kuehl is Executive Director of Farmers for Free Trade and is holding...
Trade mission to Peru is underway
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service Administrator Daniel Whitely arrived in Lima, Peru, this week to begin an agribusiness trade mission to expand market access. The goal is to boost U.S. agricultural exports to address the $3.66 billion trade deficit with Peru....
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“Big Beautiful Bill” would exacerbate food insecurity in Iowa
While legislative battles rage on in Washington D.C., food banks across the country are struggling to get enough food to feed those who are in need. Not only are USDA donations halted, but the “Big Beautiful Bill” threatens to cut SNAP benefits if it is passed, which...
Latest hog and pig report shows bearish market conditions for Iowa producers
The latest USDA Hogs and Pigs Report indicates bearish market conditions. Total inventory of animals is up compared to the previous report. Bernt Nelson, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the latest report contained some big numbers. On the...
Des Moines Water Works feeling the strain from elevated nitrate levels
On June 12th Central Iowa Water Works issued a residential and commercial lawn watering ban citing strain on water treatment facilities because of elevated nitrate concentration in raw source waters. The press release from CIWW says “Central Iowa Water Works needs to...
ISU Extension and Outreach launches Garden Academy in September
The Iowa Master Gardener Program, along with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will launch Garden Academy in September 2025, providing high-quality gardening education in a refined format for both aspiring Iowa Master Gardeners and home gardening...
Iowa Ag concerns tied to outdated policies
The clock is ticking on the long-overdue Farm Bill, with just three months left before Congress may be forced to extend it for yet another year. That would push the current bill—already outdated—more than halfway through a second life it was never intended to have....
