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U.S. officials to announce short-term “bridge payment” aid for farmers
USDA plans to roll out a short-term “bridge payment” for farmers next week, officials said Tuesday, in a bid to help growers survive tight margins and trade-related losses. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins told White House colleagues a key purpose of the payment is to cushion crop producers after a year of depressed prices and significant drops in U.S. soybean sales to China. While the broader 2025 farm support package has received roughly $40 billion in commitments, the second highest...
State Fair showcases the heart of Iowa agriculture
Yesterday, we celebrated the grit and legacy of Iowa’s Century and Heritage Farm families, but that is just one piece of the agricultural spotlight at the Iowa State Fair. Across the fairgrounds, agriculture takes center stage in ways both big and really big, from the...
Connecting consumers with dairy producers at the Iowa State Fair
The Iowa State Fair is a major opportunity to connect consumers with the farmers who raise their food. One of the most in-depth experiences is in the dairy industry, as fairgoers can witness the milking process, milk a cow themselves, and watch youth connect with the...
Iowa raised “Judah” wins the 2025 ISF Big Ram Competition
Abby Willson of Shell Rock Iowa and her 7-year old Columbia ram “Judah” are the winners of the 2025 Iowa State Fair Big Ram Competition. Judah weighed in at 505 ½ pounds to win a close contest inside the sheep barn on the first day of the 2025 fair. Abby Willson is a...
USMEF comments on U.S.-Japan Trade and Investment Agreement
Japan’s lead tariff negotiator was in Washington, D.C. this past week to finalize the details of the U.S.-Japan Trade and Investment Agreement that was recently announced by the White House. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO Dan Halstrom was in...
Annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show raises $569,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa
The 43rd annual Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show continues to make an impact, raising $569,000 for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City,...
From hard times to harvest, Iowa farms endure
Farming has never been an easy profession, with challenges that stretch far beyond the farm gate. While agriculture faces its pressures from weather, markets, and regulations, farmers have also endured the ripple effects of global events such as wars, famines, and...
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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...
Grassley to seek more aid for soybean producers
As soybean growers voice their frustrations due to low prices for their crops and rising input prices United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says he plans to speak with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins about the need for aid. Grassley says that legislation may be...
Secretary Naig announces inaugural statewide Choose Iowa farm open house
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that Choose Iowa will host its inaugural statewide Choose Iowa Farm Open House on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13-14. This two-day event coincides with the Iowa Barn Foundation's (IBF) Fall All-State Barn Tour....
Butter prices plunge despite strong export demand
After a brief stretch of optimism, the dairy sector is once again under pressure, with butter prices sliding to their lowest levels since 2021. Just last year, strong demand and high prices gave producers hope that a rebound was underway, but the momentum has quickly...
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa fields
Southern Rust has exploded in many Iowa corn fields this year, and farmers who did not treat their fields beforehand are feeling the pain. Kurt Maertens, BASF technical service representative in Eastern Iowa, said that, while no fungicide is able to perfectly handle...
