Iowa's dry conditions held about the same in the last week with around 70% of Iowa in some form of drought -- and around 25% with severe drought conditions. DNR hydrologist, Tim Hall, says the overall picture is still better than we had one month ago. "The numbers are better from this time in … [Read more...]
Another heat wave is building during a critical time for corn crops
The forecast calls for hot -- and still hotter -- weather for Iowa this week and it's doing no favors for Iowa's top crops. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the USDA's Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says the average rainfall for late July doesn't bode well for the soil, which is already … [Read more...]
Iowa’s corn crops are at critical stage, still need more rain
Forecasters say it'll likely be dry much of this week, but last week's heavy thunderstorms brought some areas of the state four and even five inches of rainfall. Still, overall precipitation is still well below normal in northwest Iowa. Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Joel DeJong … [Read more...]
USDA rates two-thirds of Iowa corn, beans in good to excellent condition
The latest USDA report on Iowa crop conditions indicates corn and soybean fields have responded well to recent rain, but Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says the report shows more moisture is needed. Last week, hail and high winds did damage some Iowa crops last week, but the damage was … [Read more...]
A sweetcorn season that once was in doubt now underway in northwest Iowa
While some areas of the state had sweet corn available right after the Fourth of July, growers in northwest Iowa are just now rolling out their crop. Lynn Buss has been growing and selling the Iowa favorite near Le Mars for the past 30 or more years and was worried the very dry conditions would … [Read more...]
Bill would reverse ruling that scuttled year-round E15 sales nationwide
The U.S. House Biofuels Caucus is introducing legislation to make it clear the EPA has the authority to allow year-round sales of E15 and higher blends of ethanol. The bill would overturn a recent federal circuit court ruling that the EPA didn't have the power to take that step. "We're going to … [Read more...]
USDA to address anti-competitive practices in ag industry
The USDA will spend half a billion dollars to help establish smaller-scale meat processing plants to compete with the four major corporations that dominate the industry. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the announcement in Council Bluffs. "It's first and foremost going to create an … [Read more...]
Economist: southwest Iowa beef plant could have big impact
Cattle producers see hope in a new beef processing plant coming to southwest Iowa in 2023, as ranchers often complain about limited choices when it’s time to sell their beef cattle. A new company, Cattlemen’s Heritage, will build a facility on the Mills-Pottawattamie county line to process 1,500 … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley promises fight to restore year-round E-15 sales
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley vows to work with his colleagues to address restoring the year-round sale of the 15% ethanol fuel blend, even though in his words, "fighting big oil is not an easy job." On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed the rule enacted … [Read more...]
Seven state park lakes on swimming advisory list
The summer heat is here but Iowans are being advised against swimming in seven state park lakes due to elevated e-coli levels and toxic algae blooms tied to agricultural runoff. So far, Lake Darling in southeast Iowa is the only beach in the state with both advisories in place. Diane Rosenberg, … [Read more...]