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Employment data in rural America
USDA’s "Rural America at a Glance" report gives insight into employment trends in rural areas of the United States. USDA research economist Tracey Farrigan says from 2023-2024 employment in rural areas grew at a rate of about .6%. She says this was a continuation of a trend of employment growth with recovery of jobs following the pandemic. Farrigan says the period from 2020-2023 saw a steep growth of employment but adds that the .6% growth from 2023-2024 was in line with expectations. Farrigan...
National Biodiesel Board ready for the future of carbon reduction
Nowadays, there seems to be even more focus on the environment than there already was. Ideas and solutions are coming to a fever pitch and industry is working to make those ideas a reality. While there are some great ideas in the future of carbon reduction and...
Beef export value sees record month
The U.S. Meat Export Federation released its weekly report on Sunday.USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom discussed highlights from the latest red meat export results released by the USDA, which included new value records for total beef exports and beef variety...
Secretary Vilsack talks investment in small meat packers
Last week, we all heard the news about President Joe Biden earmarking another $1 billion in funds to help invest in small meat packers, allowing to build more competition in the marketplace. He also spoke to more enforcement of the Packers & Stockyards Act. The...
NOYF honors achievements of young agriculturalists
AUDIO REPORT: Derek Martin, NOYF Awards ProgramThe National Outstanding Young Farmers Awards Program highlights young agriculturalists and their outstanding achievements. NOYF's Derek Martin says the purpose of the program is to bring about a greater interest in the...
Rep. Hinson outlines 2022 agricultural priorities
Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson has several agricultural priorities this year.Hinson says she will continue to stand up for Iowa?s biofuel industry. In November, she introduced the Defend the Blend Act ? a measure that would prohibit the EPA from reducing ethanol...
USDA funding will continue to support school meals
Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA made an adjustment in school meal reimbursements to help schools continue to serve healthy meals for children .The move will add an estimated $750 million into school meal programs across the nation. The goal is to make...
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Diversifying supply chains to give farmers options
Supply chain disruptions were not just the work of Covid and Covid restrictions. Supply chain problems are still creating challenges for farmers who are trying to move their commodities to domestic and international consumers. Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the...
What challenges are on the horizon for 2023?
We have talked about the drought situation here in Iowa til our voices are as dry as some of the ground in the state. So, we aren?t going to focus a lot on that topic. However, just like with a wet year or a normal year, droughts set us up for problems in the year to...
FFAR grant develops additional african swine fever vaccines
PLUM ISLAND, N.Y., and MANHATTAN, K.S. (November 10, 2022) ?African Swine Fever Virus (ASFV) is a highly contagious, fatal disease in pigs that spreads rapidly. There is no commercially available vaccine for the virus, and the threat to U.S. swine production is...
Pork Leadership Institute applications closing next week
The National Pork Board and the National Pork Producers Council are providing hands-on experiences and exclusive opportunities to learn about the NPB and NPPC while growing leadership skills. Pork Leadership Institute is a joint effort inviting producers and industry...
Hinson continues efforts to provide derecho relief for Linn County
Many of us remember very clearly the effects of the 2020 derecho, and some parts of the state are still dealing with damages. Cedar Rapids was hit the worst by the devastating storm, which caused over $11 billion in total damage. At the end of last month, Iowa 1st...
