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USDA implementing scientific research priorities
In 2026, the USDA began implementing its strategy, which builds on what has made American growers the most productive in the world: scientific research. Agriculture Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics Scott Hutchins believes that protecting the integrity of U.S agriculture against invasive species and pests is one of the most important priorities for scientific research. Hutchins believes that addressing soil health is necessary to regenerate productivity on U.S. farms. For...
Governors ask EPA for more renewable fuels
Four state governors sent a letter to Lee Zeldin, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, asking him to set higher Renewable Volume Obligation levels. “Over the past several years, the biofuels industry made significant investments to expand domestic...
Fighting tar spot with early action and solutions
Farmers must stay vigilant to protect their crops from a variety of diseases that threaten yield and quality. One persistent challenge is tar spot, a fungal disease that has become a recurring concern in many corn-growing regions. As it continues to spread,...
Iowa State University hosts 97th annual Iowa FFA Convention
Iowa FFA members from across the state have taken over Ames for the 97th annual Iowa FFA Convention. As the longtime host for the event, the staff at Iowa State University never pass up the opportunity to network with these future ag industry leaders and show them...
USMEF seminar connects U.S. red meat exporters with African businesses
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) hosted a two-day trade seminar in Accra, Ghana, bringing together some 30 U.S. red meat exporters with 76 buyers from 12 African nations. Importers and exporters held direct meetings and heard presentations from USMEF and USDA...
Can modern fungicides combat uncertain outcomes?
Attempting to predict the unpredictable with weather, disease, and even market volatility can leave farmers frustrated. However, controlling what you can control and selecting the right inputs to provide consistent return on investment can provide some peace of mind...
U.S. ethanol exports up 27 percent year-over-year
U.S. ethanol exports have crossed the one-billion-gallon threshold halfway through Marketing Year (MY) 2024/2025, a 27 percent increase from the same period in MY 2023/2024, according to new information from the USDA. The sharp rise in ethanol sales contributed to an...
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Iowa farmers can take a close look at strip till practices
Even though it’s been around for over 50 years, strip tillage is still a fairly new conservation practice that farmers can use. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a field day at the end of this month to show off how strip tillage works and what...
Grassley says Prop 12 should be addressed in the farm bill
United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) says that the 2025 farm bill should include provisions that override state-level animal welfare laws like California’s Prop 12. The law requires that pork products sold in the state meet specific housing conditions for...
South American Weather and Crop Update (7-15-25)
Rain is returning to the forecasts in South America, which is great for the drier parts of Brazil and Argentina. Allendale commodity broker Greg McBride said the forecast still has plenty of clear skies for harvest progress to continue, though. Even though safrinha...
Fourteen candidates pursue title of 72nd Iowa Dairy Princess
Fourteen young women involved within Iowa’s dairy community will compete for the title of 72nd Iowa Dairy Princess and Alternate. The coronation ceremony will be held Wednesday, August 6, at 7:30p.m. at the Multi-Media Center of the Cattle Barn at the Iowa State...
With trade in limbo, Iowa farmers wait
As economic anxiety builds across the broader economy, America’s farmers are once again among the first to feel the effects. Much like the trade battles of 2018, the agricultural sector is bearing the brunt of uncertainty. Since the beginning of the tariff era, ag...
