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New data shows continued threat to food affordability due to California Prop. 12
Equipped with brand new retail and U.S. Department of Agriculture data reinforcing California Proposition 12’s detrimental impacts on both producers and consumers, 105 American pork producers from 23 states took to Capitol Hill, advocating for their livelihoods with federal lawmakers. Researchers at the North Dakota State University Agricultural Risk Policy Center found that Prop.12-driven price increases have persisted, even two years after the law was fully implemented. On average, prices...
Ernst backs Glen Smith, USDA restructuring plan
Another Iowan could soon be stepping into a key USDA leadership role, while the department also looks to reshape how it operates across the country. Senator Joni Ernst says Glen Smith is moving through the confirmation process for a USDA under secretary role, calling...
Fareway and Murphy Family Foundation team up for 6th annual food donation
This past Tuesday, the Murphy Family Foundation teamed up with Fareway for the sixth year in a row of donating Easter meal kits to the Food Bank of Iowa. Food insecurity is still more present than ever across the state, and these meal kits will provide a sense of...
Feeding the Economy report shows agriculture’s impact
Each year, the Feeding the Economy Report measures the downstream, off-the-farm economic impact of U.S. agriculture. Danny Munch, an economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, said the report tracks three layers of impact. Munch said when you combine those...
Hog inventories up in March
The latest Quarterly Hogs and Pigs Report from USDA shows an increase in inventories. USDA livestock analyst Michael McConnell says the total number of hogs in the U.S. is up compared to this time a year ago. McConnell says hog inventories remain stable, adding that...
Secretary Naig issues statement on the Trump administration’s RFS volumes
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today issued the following statement after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized strong renewable volume obligations (RVO) within the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for 2026 and 2027: “Biofuels lower costs at the...
Ernst: 45Z must reflect Iowa farm practices
As federal agencies continue working through the rulemaking process for the 45Z clean fuel production credit, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says the final guidance must reflect the work farmers are already doing on the ground. She says she and Senator Chuck Grassley have...
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Corteva excited for farmers to use Forcivo fungicide in 2026
Last year’s crop season was defined by one major factor: late-season disease pressure. And while Southern Rust is not projected to be as big of an issue this year, farmers will always have to deal with other fungal diseases like frogeye leaf spot and tar spot. Madison...
A shift in weather conditions for April
Spring weather is always tricky for growers. On the one hand, after a dry winter, spring showers are needed to help replenish soil moisture. But on the other hand, too much moisture can disrupt field work and planting for farmers. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a...
Secretary Naig highlights E15 savings in annual Iowa fuel report
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today highlighted the significant savings Iowa drivers are seeing from choosing E15 at the gas pump following the release of the 2025 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report by the Iowa Department of Revenue. “In 2025 alone, E15...
Pork producers encouraged to start a Secure Pork Supply Plan
The Secure Pork Supply Plan, or SPS, allows producers to voluntarily create an enhanced biosecurity and continuity plan, tailored to their operation. Dr. Meredith Peterson, director of swine health with the National Pork Board, says the recently reviewed SPS provides...
Nemasphere aims at silent soybean losses
Soybean cyst nematode remains one of the most costly hidden yield threats in soybean production, and BASF says its upcoming Nemasphere trait platform is designed to help growers protect more of the yield potential already built into today’s soybean genetics. The...
