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USDA to update Expanding Access to Risk Protection with final rule
The public comment period closes on January 27th for a final rule designed to expand producer access to crop insurance and other risk protections. USDA Risk Management Agency Administrator Pat Swanson says the goal of the Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) final rule is to make the program easier to access for farmers. Swanson explains how a change in the rule regarding prevented planting payment applications should simplify that process for eligible producers. She adds that one focus...
On-farm report expands sustainability beyond the barn
Sustainability for America’s pig farmers is about doing what’s right for pigs, people, and the planet—guided by the industry’s We Care® ethical principles. The Pork Cares Farm Impact Report program helps strengthen market demand for pork, foster valuable partnerships...
Rollins heads USDA Mexico trade mission and screwworm review
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins led the largest USDA agribusiness trade mission ever assembled during a visit to Mexico City last week. The delegation included forty one American companies, more than thirty commodity groups and advocacy groups, six state...
Non-food uses for U.S. soybeans
The livestock industry drives most of the demand for U.S. soybeans, but there are actually plenty of non-food opportunities for soybeans as well. Soybean protein can be used in rubber products, which opens the door for a myriad of different uses. United Soybean Board...
New National FFA President looking forward to the coming year
Trey Myers of Oklahoma was recently elected as the new president of National FFA. He said it hasn’t truly sunk in yet, but it’s getting there. Myers said he was elected to a local FFA office as a freshman in college, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted to run for National...
H-2A program still needs more fixes to be affordable
The calls for modernizing the H-2A program for temporary agricultural workers continue to be heard across the spectrum of agriculture. The worker visa program has seen some recent adjustments to calculating the Adverse Effect Wage Rate which is seen as an improvement...
Iowa 4-H youth development receives $50,000 grant from Iowa Total Care
Iowa 4-H Youth Development today announced the receipt of a $50,000 grant from Iowa Total Care, a provider of Medicaid healthcare coverage in Iowa and a Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC). The grant will support early literacy skill development in all Iowa counties....
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More Ag News
A growing season of variability in Iowa
Each growing season is different and the growing season in Iowa this year has been defined by a wide range of outcomes. Yields across the state have varied based on several conditions but primarily rainfall timing and disease pressure. The growing season got off to...
Used cooking oil still negatively affecting soybean oil prices
The Trump administration continues to delay the release of the final rules for the 45z tax credit, which is allowing used cooking oil to remain as a thorn in the side of the soybean oil industry. Kenan Layden, hedging strategist with AgMarket.Net, said the delay is...
AFBF Thanksgiving Survey shows slightly lower costs in 2025
Every year, volunteer shoppers from the American Farm Bureau Federation help determine the average cost of feeding ten people for a Thanksgiving meal. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual Thanksgiving Cost Survey results show a slight dip in costs this year....
Iowa State Fair economic and community impact study results
The internationally acclaimed Iowa State Fair is the state's largest event and one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country. A 2025 study conducted by Johnson Consulting found that the economic impact from the Iowa State Fair...
Naig Highlights Iowas Role in Americas 250th
Iowa is already looking ahead to 2026 and the celebration of America's 250th birthday. While most people are not thinking that far down the road, state leaders are, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has been asked to help guide how our state will take part...
