Top Stories
Secretary Naig urges Iowans to prioritize safety, mental health this harvest season
With the busy harvest season commencing across the state, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is urging Iowans to keep safety top of mind in the field, around the farm and on the road. Farming can be physically exhausting and mentally demanding, and agriculture remains one of the most dangerous industries in America. In recognition of National Farm Safety and Health Week, Secretary Naig has provided some safety tips for both farmers and drivers as well as resources for Iowans needing...
Economist says farm income should be strong this year despite volatility
As a farmer it is never easy to predict what your income is going to be for a given year. There are always differing external factors that are affecting the market and of course the weather always plays a big role in whatever a farmer has to deal with in a given...
Senators propose increased funding for USDA international marketing programs
Senators Angus King (I-Maine), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) recently introduced legislation to increase annual funding for the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and Foreign Market Development Program (FMD) Program ? key programs...
Senate ag leadership urges USDA to expand margin protection tools
Leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee recently urged the Department of Agriculture to expand margin protection tools under the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. Citing record high input costs and extreme volatility in commodity prices, Senators Debbie...
Mexico?s upcoming import ban on GMO corn ignores the science
Mexico announced that by 2024, they would ban imports of U.S. corn that?s been genetically modified or grown using glyphosate almost two years ago. With how important Mexico?s relationship is to the U.S., ag leaders have been trying to find ways to keep trade strong...
Using online data to study what consumers think about pork
In 2022 there is a lot of data to show what consumers think about the food they eat. That extends to specific foods like pork. One way to see what consumers think about pork is viewing through the lens of social media.Dr. Jayson Lusk, head of Ag Economics at Purdue...
Questions linger after Supreme Court oral arguments of Sackett vs. EPA
Oral arguments are now complete in the Sackett vs. EPA case before the Supreme Court, but there is still a lot of uncertainty about how to determine whether the federal government has jurisdiction over certain pieces of land.Courtney Briggs, senior director of...
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More Ag News
NW Iowa planting season update
As we saw in this week?s crop progress report, Iowa farmers have had a great time with planting season this year, with progress in most areas being way ahead of the average. Even though northwest Iowa is still seeing more than its fair share of challenges from drought...
Senator Grassley gives update on debt limit negotiations
Lawmakers in Washington D.C. have been actively engaged in debt limit negotiations with some politicians warning that the United States could go into debt default and be unable to pay its bills as soon as June 1st if the debt ceiling isn?t raised.United States Senator...
The story behind rising farm real estate debt levels
A recent report from the USDA?s Economic Research Service says farm sector debt tied to real estate will hit a record high of $375.9 billion in 2023. Randy Dickhut, farmland analyst for Agricultural Economic Insights, said the headline doesn?t tell the whole story of...
Markets bracing for a turbulent couple of days
We know that there are a lot of outside factors that can shape the trajectory of our markets. Many of these factors are the results of the actions of other countries around the globe. Whether it?s purchases of our crops or invasions of smaller countries, the markets...
Century and heritage farm program applications due June 1
DES MOINES, Iowa (May 9, 2023) ? Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reminds eligible farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program through June 1.The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa...
