Former Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey, now a top administrator in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, today said farmers "need more assurances" about ethanol, but Northey said he's unaware of what's in the "giant package" President Trump is promising farmers. "I know there have been meetings and … [Read more...]
Northey overwhelmed by scope of flood damage along Missouri River
Iowa's former secretary of agriculture is back in the state to survey flood damage and talk to displaced residents, especially farmers who have had many hundreds of acres underwater. Bill Northey, now an undersecretary at the U.S.D.A., says it was "mind-boggling" to tour the disaster areas of … [Read more...]
Northey feels closer to U.S.D.A. spot, but timeline for final vote not known
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey's nomination to a position in the U.S.D.A. cleared the committee level in the U.S. Senate last week, but he isn't sure when the final step will take place. "I've kind of given up making predictions, we are a step closer but still need that full Senate … [Read more...]
Harvest still behind with yields looking better than expected
The warm weather last week allowed farmers to get in a lot of combine time as the corn harvest moved ahead by 10 percent and the soybean effort by 29 percent. State Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says after worries about a late start and drought, farmers have been seeing some good things. "For … [Read more...]
Trade trip increases optimism for return of ethanol, poultry exports to China
Members of an Iowa trade delegation to China are expressing optimism that markets for trade of several products will be reopened with that country. One of the big items is ethanol and the byproduct from the production of ethanol known as dried distillers grains or DDG's. Iowa Corn Growers … [Read more...]
April showers bring May worries about corn planting
We're more than a month into spring, yet frost, flurries and snowfall are again in the weekend forecast. It's annoying for many Iowans who want to start enjoying the outdoors but it's a huge financial threat for many farmers who can't plant their crops. Dennis Todey, director of the U.S.D.A.'s … [Read more...]
12 new urban water quality demonstration projects announced
Governor Terry Branstad, Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced today that 12 urban water quality demonstration projects have been selected to receive state funding. "Obviously water quality is a very important issue in this state. And this … [Read more...]
Governor and other Republicans respond to King’s tweet
A racially-charged tweet from Iowa Congressman Steve King is prompting criticism from both sides of the political aisle. King, a Republican from Kiron, sent out a tweet Sunday indicating he supports a right-wing Dutch politician who opposes immigration and has spoken against Islam. King's tweet … [Read more...]
Iowans react to nomination of U.S. Agriculture Secretary
The nomination of former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue as the new U.S. Secretary of Agriculture is bringing a mixed review from the head of Iowa's biggest ethanol and biodiesel-backing organization. Monte Shaw, executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says he's hopeful Perdue … [Read more...]
Harvest down to the final days in most of state
The recent spell of warm and sunny weather has allowed many farmers to either finish come very close to completing this year's harvest. The latest U.S.D.A crop report shows 94 percent of the corn crop has been harvested -- and for the first time this year the harvest is not behind the five-year … [Read more...]