Top Stories
First confirmation of ASF in Spain since 1994
Late last month, African swine fever (ASF) was confirmed in Spain for the first time since 1994. ASF was first found in two dead wild boars in the Barcelona area, located in the Catalonia region. Eleven more wild boars, found dead in the same area, later tested positive. Catalonia accounts for about 8% of Spain’s hog production. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice President for Economic Analysis Erin Borror said Spain is the European Union’s largest pork producer and the number two global...
Trump tariffs could fund bailout for US farmers
The Trump Administration is drawing up plans to use tariff revenue to fund a program to support U.S. farmers, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins. "There may be circumstances under which we will be very seriously...
Pork industry eyes impact of MAHA guidelines
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Report has finally delivered its long-awaited recommendations, and agriculture is watching closely. The findings are expected to influence how federal agencies shape farm policy, food production, and the role of agriculture in...
Food insecurity will only get worse without federal aid
In a time where there is a large amount of uncertainty surrounding government funding, food banks and pantries across the country are certain of one thing: food insecurity is only going to get worse if things don’t change. Here in Iowa, we are seeing hunger growing in...
Secretary Naig announces 9 Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today nine Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant recipients to expand small-scale meat processing capacity within Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says in a press release that these...
HPAI detected in Nebraska dairy herd
A dairy herd in Nebraska is the latest to test positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. Dr. Roger Dudley, State Veterinarian for Nebraska, said testing confirmed the virus came from dairy cows in California that moved to the state. As...
EPA draft rule on reallocation of RFS refinery exemptions furthers uncertainty
The Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board reiterated its call for upholding the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard today, in response to the draft rule issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the potential reallocation of recently...
Video
More Ag News
Dry Iowa weather can make harvest more complicated
Combines are rolling across much of the state, and the dry weather has allowed harvest to continue mostly uninterrupted. However, that dryness can bring with it a whole different slate of issues. Southwest Iowa Beck’s Agronomist Nate Meyer said corn yields might seem...
Turkey inventory squeezed as Thanksgiving approaches
As the weather turns cooler across the US, many shoppers are beginning to plan holiday meals. American Farm Bureau Federation Economist Bernt Nelson said USDA’s latest Turkeys Raised Report gives us some important insight on the size of the U.S. flock ahead of...
Farm bankruptcies on the rise in 2025
The latest data from the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shows farm bankruptcies increasing year over year. Joe Peiffer, an attorney with Ag & Business Legal Strategies in Hiawatha Iowa, says the numbers are disturbing. Peiffer says the...
Iowa Corn Growers congratulate California on approval of E15
Yesterday in California, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 30, which legalizes the sale of E15, a fuel blend made with 15% corn ethanol that is cleaner-burning, homegrown and more affordable than ordinary fuels. With the addition of California, it is now legal in...
District Court advances ranchers’ challenge to tag mandate
A legal challenge over the USDA’s electronic identification (EID) tag mandate for certain cattle and bison is moving forward after the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota denied much of the USDA’s attempt to dismiss the case. The lawsuit, brought by...
