Top Stories
A multi-state focus on specialty crops
Applications are now being accepted for grants from USDA's Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, which is designed to address various concerns and efforts within the specialty crop industry. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Tricia Kovacs provides more details about the program. Kovacs explains the concerns in the industry that will be focused on, from plant pest and disease research to marketing and promotion. Kovacs expands on the scope of the program. That was USDA...
Precision spraying expands on Iowa farm acres
Farmers and custom applicators are finding that using a mix of equipment is key to keeping up with the demands of modern crop management. For operations across Iowa, combining Hagie’s front-mounted boom sprayers with John Deere machines outfitted with See & Spray...
Taking a look at A-Frame Acres in southwest Iowa
When it comes to raising pigs, giving them plenty of space can be an effective method of promoting herd health. If you can keep your pigs happy and healthy, you’ll end up with an even better product. That’s the goal of A-Frame Acres down in southwest Iowa, where...
Tissue sampling is vital to managing in-season nutrition
The best way to manage in-season nutrition is by letting your crops tell you what they need. This is done through tissue sampling which will provide a checklist of the nutrients your crops are lacking. That is Ryan Steffensen, a branch manager with Helena Agri...
Farmers need to have a seat at the MAHA table
The much-anticipated recommendations from the Make America Healthy Commission will be released soon. In this week’s commentary, American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said the commission must seek farmers' input. Duvall said they appreciate the communication from...
‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa at the 2025 ISF
DES MOINES, Iowa (July 31, 2025) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig welcomes Iowa State Fairgoers to indulge in fun ‘Fair Sweet Fair’ experiences with Choose Iowa during the annual 11-day event slated for Aug. 7 through Aug. 17 in Des Moines. Choose Iowa, a...
Grain donations could turn harvests into hope
Hunger remains a persistent challenge across the country, affecting people of all backgrounds, incomes, and communities. It’s a crisis that cuts across urban and rural lines alike, with food pantries and assistance programs struggling to keep up as demand grows. More...
Video
More Ag News
Iowa farmers face costly lessons from disease year
It was anything but a typical growing season, with shifting weather patterns and disease pressure forcing farmers to make quick, difficult decisions in their fields. For many, the call was not just about agronomy but also economics, as tighter margins made another...
Pork producers can’t forget about the dangers of African Swine Fever
The U.S. pork industry is staying vigilant when it comes to foreign animal diseases. Dr. Meredith Petersen, director of swine health for the National Pork Board, said they’re keeping an eye on multiple diseases, including African Swine Fever. Petersen said African...
EU looking to further delay deforestation regulation
The European Commission has once again begun the process to delay implementation of the EU Deforestation Regulation. U.S. Meat Export Federation Vice President of Economic Analysis Erin Borror said that is good news for the U.S., as the U.S. and several EU countries...
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...
