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How will proposed H-2A changes impact farmers and farmworkers?
In late September, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was lowering the H-2A Adverse Effect Wage Rate, better known as AEWR. If the interim rule is adopted, it means rates will drop to around $1.80 an hour in Idaho, $2.10 in Oregon, and nearly $2.50 an hour in Washington, and will go lower in other states as well. Enrique Gastelum, CEO of the Worker and Farmer Labor Association, said these proposed changes are far from a “silver bullet,” but he feels this will help farmers and perhaps...
NCBA secures new WOTUS proposed rule that protects family farmers and ranchers
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced support for the new proposed Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The revised WOTUS rule comes after decades of advocacy by NCBA and our state...
Goettsch highlights key seed decisions for Iowa farmers in 2026
As Iowa farmers wrap up another harvest season, many are already shifting their attention to what they want from their seed choices in 2026. After a year that produced solid yields but also revealed pockets of disease pressure in several parts of the state, growers...
Governor Reynolds, ISU, and BioMADE break ground on new $40M biomanufacturing facility
Today, BioMADE, the State of Iowa, Iowa State University (ISU), and Iowa State University Research Park celebrated the groundbreaking of a new pilot-scale bioindustrial manufacturing facility near Ames, Iowa. Scheduled to open in 2027, the 15,000 sq. ft. multi-user...
Flash sale data shows that China has not made big U.S. purchases yet
Last Friday was the first WASDE report since the end of the government shutdown. While the markets have already from recovered from that report, there is still plenty of information that was released that the markets will continue to look at. Allendale commodity...
What to expect from La Nina weather pattern this winter
It has been over a month since the National Weather Service officially declared the La Nina weather pattern for North America this winter. USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey says a La Nina winter has been the norm in recent years. Rippey describes the winter weather that...
Jay Theiler of Agri Beef Company elected chair of USMEF
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its Strategic Planning Conference in Indianapolis Friday with election of new officers. Chairing USMEF for the 2025-26 term is Jay Theiler, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Agri Beef Company in Boise,...
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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...
