Top Stories
Western drought intensifies despite Midwest rainfall
Recent rainfall across Iowa and much of the eastern Midwest has helped improve soil moisture conditions heading into the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says many areas farther west continue battling intensifying drought conditions. Speaking during a discussion in Washington, D.C., Rippey said drought still covers nearly two-thirds of the United States, with some of the worst conditions stretching across the Plains, the South, and parts of the western U.S. Rippey, who...
Harsh tariffs can negatively impact farmer mental health
It’s no secret that the ag economy is volatile right now. With tariffs and other global issues, farmers are feeling the economic squeeze, and that can take a huge toll on their mental health. Matt Willamack, Iowa Soybean Association District 6 board member, said...
Keep an eye out for crop pests as pollination approaches
As we approach the critical pollination window for corn and soybeans, it’s important to make sure your crops are as healthy as they can be. That means crop scouting is especially important in order to keep diseases and pests at bay. Lance Goettsch, DEKALB Asgrow...
Grassley discusses SNAP state cost-share and reconciliation bill
The Senate parliamentarian who ensures that legislative rules and procedure are being followed in the chamber has ruled against a key funding provision in President Trump’s One Big Beautiful tax and spending bill. Elizabeth MacDonough says the SNAP state cost share...
Hoover Building is the new home of IDALS
As of July 1, 2025, The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will call the Hoover State Office Building home. After more than four decades in the Henry A. Wallace State Office Building, the Department will depart the building at the end of June. The...
Pork finds wins and worries in MAHA report (Part 2)
In Part 1 of our conversation with Dr. Ashley Johnson of the National Pork Producers Council, we looked at the pork industry's positives and concerns about the recently released MAHA report. While the science behind meat’s role in a healthy diet was reaffirmed,...
Secretary Rollins discusses efforts to boost soy exports amid tariff uncertainty
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins says despite the trade uncertainty from President Trump’s on-again-off-again tariffs, USDA is working to increase US farm exports, including soybeans. When the top House Ag Democrat asked at an oversight hearing what USDA was doing to boost...
Video
More Ag News
Modern Ag Alliance advocates for farmers from coast to coast
Even though the Modern Ag Alliance is only just over one year old, its impact in that short amount of time has been far-reaching. At this point, the coalition now contains over 100 ag organizations. At this year’s Farm Progress Show, Elizabeth Burns-Thompson,...
Consumers shrug off high beef prices
When retail prices for any product reach record-high levels, the demand usually plummets quickly. U.S. beef appears to be the exception to the basic rule of economics. Retail grocery store prices for beef skyrocketed and show no signs of descending. But demand hasn’t...
Wyffels Hybrids providing independent seed solutions for Iowa’s growers
The spring and summer seasons have delivered significant rainfall and warm weather to the state of Iowa and set the table for disease pressure. Mitch Heisler is product and agronomy manager at Wyffels Hybrids and he says the corn in Iowa has had everything thrown at...
Soybean leaders warn of growing tariff consequences
China has effectively shut U.S. soybeans out of its market, instead relying on Brazil to meet its massive demand. The real blow has come from retaliatory tariffs, which have priced American soybeans out and stripped farmers of access to their top export customer. To...
Cattle industry monitoring human screwworm case
A human case of New World screwworm was reported by the Centers for Disease Control after being discovered earlier this month. Colin Woodall, CEO of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, said the cattle industry will monitor the situation, but this isn’t a risk...
