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Grain bags find second life through recycling
It’s that time of year when harvest is winding down and farmyards across the Midwest are filling up with leftover grain bags. They’ve served their purpose, but now comes the question of what to do with them. Most grain bags are designed for single use, and that means disposal or recycling becomes the next challenge and opportunity. Chris DeClerk, an irrigation specialist with Delta Plastics, says his company is making it easier for farmers to recycle those massive bags instead of sending them...
Food insecurity will only get worse without federal aid
In a time where there is a large amount of uncertainty surrounding government funding, food banks and pantries across the country are certain of one thing: food insecurity is only going to get worse if things don’t change. Here in Iowa, we are seeing hunger growing in...
Secretary Naig announces 9 Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today nine Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grant recipients to expand small-scale meat processing capacity within Iowa. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says in a press release that these...
HPAI detected in Nebraska dairy herd
A dairy herd in Nebraska is the latest to test positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. Dr. Roger Dudley, State Veterinarian for Nebraska, said testing confirmed the virus came from dairy cows in California that moved to the state. As...
EPA draft rule on reallocation of RFS refinery exemptions furthers uncertainty
The Iowa Soybean Association and Iowa Biodiesel Board reiterated its call for upholding the integrity of the Renewable Fuel Standard today, in response to the draft rule issued by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding the potential reallocation of recently...
Iowa delegation finds Ag opportunities in India
Governor Kim Reynolds recently led a trade delegation to India, marking Iowa’s second visit to the country in less than a year. Joining her were Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig, business leaders, and representatives from agriculture, who met with officials and industry...
Keeping up with evolving crop diseases and pests
Crop diseases and pests tend to adapt and evolve quickly, so it’s important that the available seed hybrids are able to change along with them. Dustin Bowling, LG Seeds brand product manager, said they brought a healthy number of new varieties to market this year....
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Agribusiness retailers facing uncertainty amid trade war
The trade war between the United States and many of its top trade partners has created tariff uncertainty for agribusiness across the United States. Charles Baron is a co-founder of Farmers Business Network and says the unknowns of the trade war has created hurdles...
USDA issues second assistance payment to producers
The USDA will issue a second Emergency Commodity Assistance Program payment to eligible producers for the 2024 crop year. Of the authorized $10 billion in ECAP assistance, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has already provided over $8 billion in payments to eligible...
From global shocks to local fields: Farmers pay the price
From war zones to shipping lanes, the ripple effects of geopolitical tension are reaching all the way back to Iowa’s farm gates. Farmers aren’t just watching world headlines for grain prices anymore—they’re also seeing how conflicts, trade disputes, and policy shifts...
Continuing to find new uses for American soybeans
The United Soybean Board is driving demand for U.S. soybeans in many ways, with some being more obvious choices than others. One of those underrated focuses is in non-food products like tires and asphalt. United Soybean Board Director Robb Ewoldt- who is also an Iowa...
Farmers facing a perfect storm of economic challenges
Several economic headwinds are combining to create a difficult financial environment for some farmers. Farmers, particularly those raising grain crops, are struggling economically due to a number of key challenges. Sam Kieffer, vice president of public policy for the...
