Top Stories
Interior seeks flexibility on predator management
When I visited Washington, D.C. recently, I had the opportunity to speak with Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, about several wildlife management issues affecting western ranchers. Among the topics discussed were wolves and grizzly bears, both of which continue to generate debate between livestock producers, wildlife advocates, and government regulators. Budd-Falen said wolf management remains particularly complex because different populations are...
Previously dry soils are now too wet in some areas
While we have received a lot of rain recently, it still has not been enough to rid the state of drought yet. In fact, large portions of the state are still in drought conditions. Mark Licht, Iowa State University professor of agronomy and ISU Extension and Outreach...
Increased tariffs on Chinese imports could cause retaliation
The Biden administration is continuing current tariffs and adding new ones. Dave Salmonsen, senior director of government affairs with the American Farm Bureau Federation, says that the increases are primarily tech focused. Salmonsen says there are a couple of reasons...
NPPC, Farm Bureau lead coalition to urge congressional fix to Prop 12
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) joined forces with the American Farm Bureau Federation to garner support from 900+ agricultural stakeholders supporting the federal fix to California Prop. 12 to be included in the 2024 Farm Bill. Laying out robust arguments...
Taxpayer groups speak out against Farm Bill subsidy costs
As the House and Senate Ag Committees have released their versions of the Farm Bill, we are seeing reactions from all over the place. Mostly we focus on the programs that are included in the titles from an Ag perspective. We talk about the Commodity Credit...
Connecting with consumers to put more pork on the plate
Among younger generations in the United States, fresh pork consumption is on the decline. What does that mean for the pork industry and how can the industry adapt to make pork the protein of choice for younger consumers? That is Bill Even, CEO of the National Pork...
Despite tighter margins, there are still opportunities for profits
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago recently released its May agricultural market newsletter, and it included data on agricultural conditions in Iowa. Nationwide Senior Economist Ben Ayers said the report highlighted some persisting struggles that Iowa farmers are...
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Emerald ash borer has made its way into all 99 Iowa counties
It’s been 14 years since emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive species of insect that kills ash trees, was first detected in Iowa. Now, with the latest confirmation of EAB in Emmet County, EAB has been detected in all 99 counties. The Emmet County samples were...
Farm, biofuel groups press administration for answers on 45Z tax credits
An American Farm Bureau official says the November election and the difficulty of rulemaking could push the ‘45Z’ tax credit rule for biodiesel and sustainable aviation fuel past a November 1st deadline. The calendar tells the story. AFB Director of Government Affairs...
Pork producers celebrate UN decision on antimicrobials
In a victory for America’s pork producers and swine veterinarians, the National Pork Producers Council celebrated a United Nations decision on antimicrobials. NPPC was on hand for the discussion and providing guidance when the U.N. rejected proposed on-farm target...
Dairy Sweet becomes Iowa’s best breaded pork tenderloin contest winner
Dairy Sweet, located in Dunlap, Iowa and owned by Lori and Greg Thomsen, claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2024. This marks a triumphant return to a legacy that began in 2005 when the restaurant first won under the ownership of Lori’s...
Clean energy options are plentiful in rural America
The USDA has announced more funding to construct more clean energy options for rural America. The agency says that it is offering $145 million in funding for 700 loan and grant awards through the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, “to help agricultural...
