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...]
Axne spoke with Biden about putting biofuels in infrastructure plan
As congressional leaders juggle three different infrastructure bills, Iowa Congresswoman Cindy Axne says the one that passed the U.S. House Thursday includes nearly $22 million for six projects in southwest Iowa. Axne, a Democrat from West Des Moines, says she's still lobbying to include funding … [Read more...]
Rain helps improve crop conditions
The U.S.D.A. crop report finds the rain last week was helpful --but more moisture is needed. The report shows the amounts of rain varied widely with northwest Iowa still reporting more than two-thirds of its topsoil moisture short to very short. While the districts in the southern one-third of … [Read more...]
ISU discusses options for farmers hit by hail damage
Some farmers now have decisions to make after their crops were damaged by hail. Iowa State University Extension held a meeting Friday for those hit in the Plymouth County areas. ISU Crop specialist, Joel DeJong says the hail damage appears to have started east of Le Mars. He says the damage looks … [Read more...]
Hail damages crops in northwest Iowa
Hail storms blanketed large sections of the state Tuesday afternoon and heavy crop damage is reported in northwest Iowa's Plymouth County -- with thousands of acres impacted. Bill Tentinger, who farms east of Le Mars, says he has extensive hail damage to his corn, especially to the rows that run … [Read more...]
Biofuels industry urging ‘technology neutral’ approach to cutting carbon emissions
The head of a trade association representing the renewable fuels industry is urging lawmakers to ensure any national goals to reduce carbon emissions include ethanol and biodiesel. Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor says the path to a clean energy future should be "technology neutral." "We are well … [Read more...]
Drought showing up in crop conditions
Weekend rains were welcome -- but the latest U.S.D.A. report shows the drought impact is showing in Iowa's crops. Farmers reported the corn leaves curling and ground cracking in some areas of the state from the heat. The U.S.D.A. report shows the corn condition is rated 56 percent good to … [Read more...]
Corn crop showing stress from dry conditions
Iowa State University Extension crop specialist, Joel DeJong, says northwest Iowa crops are showing signs of stress from the dry conditions. He says they need around 25 inches of moisture during the crop development stage. "We still need to have about 12 to 15 inches of rainfall during this … [Read more...]
Late May frost forced some to replant soybeans and corn
Some farmers had to put seed into their planters for a second time last week. The latest U.S.D.A. report says some growers in the upper two-thirds of the state re-planted corn and soybeans due to frost damage that occurred in late May. Overall the report says 96% of the corn has emerged -- which … [Read more...]
Small amount of beans remain to be planted, corn complete
Most farmers in the state have parked their planters. The U.S.D.A report shows corn planting is virtually complete and 87% of the seeds have already poked out of the ground. The emergence is five days ahead of the five-year average. The report shows 81% of corn is in good to excellent … [Read more...]