Top Stories
Ernst says loan delays hurt Iowa growth
Farmers and rural businesses across Iowa are facing growing challenges when it comes to accessing capital. Tight margins, lower commodity prices, and rising input costs are colliding with loan processes that many lenders say have become increasingly difficult to navigate. Iowa Senator Joni Ernst says those concerns were front and center during a recent Senate Small Business Committee hearing focused on rural development and agriculture. As chair of the committee, Ernst brought Iowa voices to...
Meals on Wheels providing food and company to isolated seniors
The holiday season is a joyous time for most of us as we gather with our families, enjoy great meals, and share gifts with each other. For some people, though, the holidays can be a difficult time to get through. All across Iowa, there are many seniors who spend the...
Dairy checkoff highlights work in 2024
The dairy checkoff continues to find ways to grow sales and build trust in dairy. Dairy Management Inc. President and CEO Barbara O’Brien said one of the key areas of focus is growing the checkoff’s longtime commitment to research and science and working with...
Record NRCS program acreage enrollment
2024 was a record year for acreage enrollment in USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service programs. In fiscal year 2024, 11 million acres were enrolled in the programs says NRCS Chief Terry Cosby. He says the increase in conservation program investments along with...
USDA invests in domestic fertilizer production
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack says his agency is making domestic fertilizer production investments in nine states to increase competition, lower fertilizer costs for American farmers, and lower food costs for U.S. consumers. “When we invest in domestic supply chains, we...
Continuing resolution called “dead”. Government shutdown looms
Earlier this week we heard from Representative Zach Nunn from Iowa’s 3rd District, and he talked about important Ag measures that were going to be included in the proposed Continuing Resolution to fund the government. It was going to include another one-year extension...
Protecting small businesses from the CTA
Recently, enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was put on hold. In theory, the CTA is designed to weed out any money laundering schemes, terrorism financing, and tax fraud. In practice, however, Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn says the CTA places an...
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More Ag News
Strong U.S. red meat export totals for January
Exports of U.S. beef trended higher than a year ago in January, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports were slightly below last January’s large totals, despite another outstanding performance in Mexico...
AFBF President comments on tariff consequences
As the Trump administration continues with plans to implement tariffs on our top trade partners, farmers across the country are preparing to deal with the consequences. In a recent ag policy commentary provided to farm broadcasters by the American Farm Bureau...
Meat production, trade, and price projections for 2025
USDA’s Agricultural Outlook Forum helps to provide projections for meat production, trade, and price for the year ahead. At the recent 2025 Ag Outlook Forum USDA livestock economist Michael McConnell predicted an overall meat production increase. McConnell also...
Secretary Naig launches Choose Iowa food purchasing pilot program for schools
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the launch of the Choose Iowa Food Purchasing Program for Schools. The pilot program aims to connect Iowa schools with Choose Iowa members to encourage school food service programs to buy more ingredients and...
EPA backlog puts U.S. agricultural innovation at risk, says Syngenta
The agricultural community has grown increasingly frustrated with the Biden Administration’s EPA, as a backlog of critical rulings has left essential technologies and tools in limbo. Farmers and producers have been waiting for decisive action to address regulatory...
