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House Ag Chair wants farm bill 2.0 in February
GT Thompson, the chair of the House Agriculture Committee, has tentatively set a farm bill markup for the week of February 23. Politico said that’s according to three sources familiar with Thompson’s plans. While the formal text of his farm bill has yet to be introduced, it will likely have the same priorities as the version that advanced out of committee in 2024 but never became law. “Committee staff is still waiting for the cost estimates from the Congressional Budget Office, which could...
Featured Conversation: ICGA addresses land use concerns
Carbon sequestration pipelines proposed in Iowa remain a highly discussed issue, particularly as landowners raise questions about how such projects could affect farmland and property rights. While economic impacts and market access have been central to the discussion,...
New World Screwworm getting closer to U.S. border
There’s been a lot of anxiety recently about the proximity of New World Screwworm to the U.S. border. Not only has the pest moved further north, but it has also seen a significant increase in detections. Ross Baldwin of AgMarket.Net said New World Screwworm is now...
Dean Frazer named new president of Iowa Pork Producers Association
The Iowa Pork Producers Association has named Dean Frazer as the new President of the organization at its annual meeting which was held January 20th in Des Moines. Frazer takes over as the new leader of the IPPA from outgoing President Aaron Juergens. Frazer operates...
Healthy Milk Act could create $2 billion boon for dairy producers
Last week’s signing by President Trump of the Healthy Milk for Kids Act marked a major victory for kids as well as dairy farmers. Gregg Doud, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, says he couldn’t have been more pleased with the support the bill...
Analysis shows need for E15 for Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry
Iowa’s corn and ethanol industry faces continued decline without immediate approval of nationwide, year-round sales of E15 gasoline and access to ultra-low carbon fuel markets, according to a new study released by Iowa Corn and the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association....
Featured Conversation: ICGA on the carbon sequestration pipeline discussion
Carbon sequestration pipelines proposed in Iowa continue to draw attention as state leaders, farm organizations, and landowners weigh their potential economic and long-term impacts. Supporters point to market access and competitiveness for Iowa ethanol, while critics...
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Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a...
Rural Energy Council is a “disgrace”
Growth Energy, the nation’s largest biofuel trade association, was very unhappy after it was announced that a legislative fix for year-round E15 was dropped from the January government funding bill. It was further incensed that Congress would instead form a “rural...
Iowa ag efforts meet setbacks as policy debates continue
Iowa agriculture continues to face pressure from growing production and slower demand growth, a dynamic that has weighed on commodity prices and raised broader questions about market access for farmers. Those issues were discussed earlier this week during a...
Potential ag impacts from significant winter system
A winter storm is set to move across the country this week and could have adverse effects for agriculture. The storm is unique in that it is tracking farther south than would be expected at this time of the year says USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey. Southern states are...
Trump’s tariffs make a tough economy even tougher
As President Trump continues with his trade policies, farmers in Iowa are feeling the squeeze economically. It’s going to take much more than a bridge payment to make sure that family farms in Iowa are able to keep operating in the future. Iowa Farmers Union President...
