Top Stories
Farmers applaud court decision on H-2A costs
Farms across America face razor-thin margins and rising input costs, especially when relying on seasonal labor. Family-run operations often struggle to hire and retain enough workers during peak seasons to get crops planted, tended, and harvested. Under the H-2A visa program, employers must meet wage requirements that can dramatically increase labor costs, disproportionately burdening small farms. In this strained environment, any change to labor requirements can offer vital relief to farming...
Managing swine respiratory disease with the Influenza Playbook
Over the years, more influenza strains have infiltrated the swine herd. It’s now at the point where it’s endemic to some states and breeding herds just have to live with it. This creates extra costs and also immunocompromises those infected pigs. That’s why Merck...
Northwest Iowa crops off to good start despite challenges
No growing season is perfect; there are always challenges and issues that will present themselves as the season progresses. In northwest Iowa this spring, planting season was smooth with dry weather assisting farmers in getting their crops into the ground quickly....
Companies receive investment through the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge
Radicle Growth and the supporting corn growers’ associations are thrilled to announce investments in two companies identified through the Radicle Corn Value Chain Challenge, sponsored by US Corn Farmers. The Radicle Challenge set out to invest a minimum of US $1.5M in...
Farmers need Congress to act and extend tax provisions
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is set to expire at the end of 2025. If it’s not renewed, farmers and ranchers will face significant tax hikes. Samantha Ayoub, an associate economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers will be put at risk if those...
GROWMARK upgrades fertilizer terminal to boost efficiency
As fertilizer demand ramps up during the spring planting season, GROWMARK has completed major upgrades to its St. Louis dry fertilizer terminal aimed at improving speed and flow for truck shipments. Terminal Manager Jordan Flurke said the original facility, built in...
NPB kicking off its national swine health strategy at WPX
At World Pork Expo 2025 the National Pork Board is kicking off its national swine health strategy. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the NPB and pork producers in which the NPB is gathering input from producers about their biggest swine health...
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More Ag News
Harsh tariffs can negatively impact farmer mental health
It’s no secret that the ag economy is volatile right now. With tariffs and other global issues, farmers are feeling the economic squeeze, and that can take a huge toll on their mental health. Matt Willamack, Iowa Soybean Association District 6 board member, said...
Keep an eye out for crop pests as pollination approaches
As we approach the critical pollination window for corn and soybeans, it’s important to make sure your crops are as healthy as they can be. That means crop scouting is especially important in order to keep diseases and pests at bay. Lance Goettsch, DEKALB Asgrow...
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,...
