Top Stories
Secure borders and legal workforce can coexist
When it comes to immigration and labor, agriculture keeps circling back to the same problem: something must give. Farmers and businesses cannot sit idly by while Washington debates; they need guidance and answers now. Last week, we wrote about the broader frustration with inaction, and that theme carries forward today as we look at guest worker programs like H-2A. These programs desperately need updates to meet the demands of modern agriculture, yet they are caught in the middle of an...
Highlighting the impacts of tariffs on small family farms
A local distillery in small-town Swisher, Iowa, was the host site for an important discussion between farmers and Iowa ag industry leaders about the impact of President Trump’s tariffs on small family farms. And Cedar Ridge Distillery wasn’t just the venue- CEO Jeff...
New study details positive interactions between cattle and sage grouse
A new study from the University of Idaho highlighted the interactions between cattle and sage grouse populations. The 10-year study confirmed that cattle grazing does not negatively impact greater sage grouse- in fact, it actually benefits the species through building...
Grassley says proposed RVOs from EPA “Very good news for Iowa farmers”
Last Friday the Environmental Protection Agency released the proposed Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2026 and 2027. The increased RVOs for biomass-based diesel compared to recent years delivered immediate support into the ag markets for soybeans and soybean oil....
250+ food & ag groups call for greater transparency and public input in MAHA Commission
258 food and agriculture groups representing millions of American farmers, ranchers, producers, and manufacturers sent a letter calling on the Make America Healthy Again Commission to create greater transparency and public input in the commission’s activities. The...
Global markets hold the key to the pork industry’s future
Around the world, pork is more than just chops and bacon, it's a matter of taste and tradition. While many Americans might shy away from pig stomach or intestines, in South America and parts of Asia, those same cuts are culinary staples. As global demand shifts, every...
ISU combining solar farms with production agriculture
There’s a unique form of agriculture being studied at Iowa State University: “agrivoltaics,” which is the crossroads between solar power production and farming practices. At the Alliant Energy Solar Farm south of Ames, they’re trying to figure out which ag practices...
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More Ag News
Water hemp is one of the top weeds impacting Iowa crops
So far, most of Iowa’s crops are looking healthy, which is especially important as we enter the critical timeframe for pollination. Weed control is incredibly important in making sure that crops are healthy, and one of the top problem weeds is water hemp. Travis...
Nursery stage nutrition helps set the stage for maximum potential
Healthy and strong nursery pigs are essential to ensuring that each animal reaches its maximum potential. If a piglet does not receive the essential minerals and nutrients, it can limit their potential in the long run. Jeremiah Nemechek is a tech services nutritionist...
Iowa farmers can cultivate their farm’s brand
In tough economic times, farmers are looking for alternative income streams and ways to increase their profit margins. One way is through direct-to-consumer sales, whether through farmers' markets, roadside stands, or online. In Iowa, the Choose Iowa program has...
U.S. Senate delivers wins for pork producers in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
The Senate passed by a slim margin—with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tiebreak—its version of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” It includes many provisions important to pork, among them tax and animal health language. National Pork Producers Council President...
Rare bug near Iowa prompts field warnings
Profit margins are already razor-thin for many Midwest farmers this year, prompting increased diligence in scouting and early detection of crop threats. With careful planning and proactive crop protection strategies in place, most producers felt prepared for the...
