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Map the Meal Gap study highlights growing presence of food insecurity
The latest Map the Meal Gap study from Feeding America shows the harrowing impact of food insecurity in Iowa and across the country. In this year’s study, data shows that 1 in 8 Iowans and 1 in 6 Iowa children face food insecurity. Additionally, the annual meal gap in Iowa is over 76 million meals. Additional money required to meet the state’s food needs would require nearly $269 million. Unfortunately, the USDA is no longer collecting food insecurity data. However, Nielsen said Feeding...
Food hubs: the connecting piece for local farmers and producers
When people think of agriculture, they tend to focus only on what happens on the farm, namely planting, harvesting, or raising livestock. However, farmers still need to find a way of reaching consumers, which is where food hubs come in. Market access can be...
USDA launches modernized crop acreage reporting pilot
USDA is unveiling a new pilot program for spring-planted crops to modernize and update crop acreage reporting. USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production Richard Fordyce describes the program as “transformative.” Fordyce says it has taken too long for USDA to modernize...
Secretary Naig opens sign-up for annual cover crop cost-share program
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged Iowa farmers and landowners who are planning to seed cover crops this fall to enroll in the state's annual Cover Crop Cost-Share Program. This program is open to first-time and returning cover crop users in all...
USDA could regain food aid programs
Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman wants two major U.S. foreign food aid programs returned to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Boozman says USDA is better equipped than the State Department to oversee programs built around American agriculture....
Vaccinating swine without using traditional syringes
One of the most stressful parts of raising livestock is vaccinating your herd, and that’s especially true for swine producers. The process can be risky for both the livestock and the farmhands administering the vaccines. For the past 20 years, Merck Animal Health has...
U.S. chilled beef may see opportunity in South Korea
Shipments of Australian beef into South Korea have reached more than 90% of the 2026 safeguard volume of 196,00 mt, meaning the tariff rate on Australian beef will soon jump from 5.3% to 24% for the remainder of the year. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) Vice...
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Latin America offers new export opportunities
Latin America continues to present new opportunities for U.S. ethanol exports, with established markets remaining strong and several countries expanding their use of biofuels. Marri Tejada, regional director for Latin America with the U.S. Grains and BioProducts...
July WASDE report indicates tight grain supplies
The July WASDE report was projected to be a friendly one, and it turned out to be even more friendly than expected. A significant cut to corn supplies and tightened supplies for soybeans and wheat indicate that there isn’t much leeway for weather issues in the back...
Tracking consumer demand, preferences, and habits with the Meat Demand Monitor
The Meat Demand Monitor (MDM) is a monthly research project that tracks U.S. consumer demand, preferences, attitudes, and purchasing behavior related to meat and protein products. It is led by researchers at Kansas State University and is funded in part by the Beef...
Producer-led Advisory Committee to advance National Swine Health Strategy
The industry’s Swine Health Advisory Committee helps build on what’s working and accelerates action to ensure the National Swine Health Strategy reflects producers’ needs. Paul Ayers, chair of the advisory committee, said producers are working hand in hand with common...
USDA accepts 186,247 acres in Iowa through 2026 Conservation Reserve Program enrollment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting more than 186,247 acres in Iowa into the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for 2026. Through CRP, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) offers agricultural producers and landowners incentive payments for their...
