Leaders of Iowa farm commodity and biofuels groups held a news conference today to call on President Trump to force the EPA to follow the deal on ethanol and biodiesel that Trump struck with the industry a dozen days ago. Iowa Corn Growers Association CEO Craig Floss began by quoting an Iowa … [Read more...]
Harvest progress slowly as fields remain wet
The weather was drier -- but the latest U.S.D.A. crop report doesn't show a lot of progress with the harvest. The report says field conditions remained wet and that limited farmers to around three working days last week. Seven percent of the corn crop has been harvested -- compared to three … [Read more...]
‘Outrage’ in Iowa biofuels industry over proposed EPA blending rules
Iowa's ethanol and biodiesel industry reacted in disbelief and anger today after the Environmental Protection Agency issued a draft policy on future biofuels production targets. The president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association was first to react, saying he was outraged the EPA failed to … [Read more...]
ISU economist says China trade talk is a positive
Members of Iowa agriculture sector are finding hope in the tentative trade deal announced between the United States and China. President Donald Trump says China has agreed to buy between 40 and 50 billion dollars in U.S. agriculture products, if the deal goes through. Iowa State University … [Read more...]
Jump in number of goats being raised in Iowa
The number of goat herds is growing in Iowa. The latest data from the U.S.D.A. shows there's been a 61 percent increase nationally in dairy goat herds -- and Iowa ranks behind Wisconsin and Texas as the state with the fastest growing dairy goat industry. James McDaniel farms near Mitchellville … [Read more...]
More schools taking part in second Iowa Local Food Day
Today is the second annual Iowa Local Food Day as part of National Farm to School Month. Teresa Wiemerslage, the program coordinator through the ISU Extension, says to take part, schools must serve at least two locally-sourced items for breakfast or lunch. Local foods can include produce, meat, … [Read more...]
ISU researchers explore fabric tunnels as way to protect crops
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing short, fabric-covered tunnels which could be the solution to protecting certain organic crops from destructive pests. By design, organic agriculture limits the products that can be applied to crops to kill pests and weeds. ISU’s Mark Gleason … [Read more...]
Pence urges Iowa crowd to lobby Democrats on USMCA
Vice President Mike Pence told a crowd at a farm near Waukee today that he was in Iowa to "turn up the heat" and urge Democrats to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. "The truth is, and we all know it, Democrats have been spending all their time on endless investigations and a partisan … [Read more...]
Senator Grassley remains optimistic USMCA will get passed
Both of Iowa's U.S. Senators will be joining Vice President Mike Pence at an event in central Iowa this afternoon to tout the benefits of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Senator Chuck Grassley says the timeline in Congress for the trade deal is still loose but he's optimistic it's gaining … [Read more...]
As Pence touts USMCA, ‘Farmers for Free Trade’ pushes for China deal
Vice President Mike Pence will visit a central Iowa farm this afternoon, part of the Trump Administration's effort to pressure congress to ratify the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. Angela Hofmann of "Farmers for Free Trade" says farmers across the country are hoping the trade war with China is … [Read more...]