Governor Kim Reynolds is headed to Washington, D.C. to attend the signing of "phase one" of a trade deal with China. "It's a really good first step for Iowa and for Iowa farmers," Reynolds told Radio Iowa late Tuesday afternoon. Reynolds said she was invited by the Trump Administration to send … [Read more...]
On National Bacon Day, reflecting on Iowa’s role in bacon production
This is National Bacon Day and Iowa plays a key role in providing the 1.1 billion servings of bacon consumed in the U.S. this year. Iowa is the number one pork-producing state. Nearly one-third of the nation's hogs are raised here. According to the Iowa Pork Producers, there are about 22 million … [Read more...]
Pork Producers focus on prep for potential ASF outbreak
Iowa Pork Producers are urging lawmakers to continue taxpayer support of facilities and programs designed to respond to an outbreak of African swine fever here. The association's Drew Mogler testified at a public hearing in the governor's office last week. "Iowa Pork is very appreciative of the … [Read more...]
Iowans see positive development on USMCA ratification
Iowa politicians, commodity groups and Iowa's business community are celebrating news of a deal that will lead to U.S. House ratification of a new trade agreement to replace NAFTA. Passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will close out 2019 with a win for farmers who've had a difficult year, … [Read more...]
Preliminary report classifies 622 Iowa waterways as impaired in 2018
State officials have drafted a preliminary list classifying 622 Iowa waterways as "impaired" during 2018. That's a two percent increase from the previous year's list. Roger Bruner supervises the water monitoring staff in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and he spoke with reporters this … [Read more...]
State officials optimistic Iowa meat sales to Japan will jump
Iowa's governor and the state's agriculture secretary are in Japan, meeting with government officials and grocers to tout Iowa beef and pork. Ag Secretary Mike Naig said Iowa meat has been sold in Japan "for decades." "It's about relationships and meeting with customers to hear their concerns, … [Read more...]
A new president for the Iowa-based World Food Prize
The co-founder of a non-profit who has been focused on international food safety and food security issues for the past decade will be the new leader of the Iowa-based World Food Prize Foundation. Iowa native and Nobel Prize winner Norman Borlaug founded the World Food Prize 33 years ago. The … [Read more...]
Reynolds embarks on 7-day trade mission to Japan
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds left early this morning on a trade mission to Japan. "It's just to continue to drive markets and look for opportunity," she says. Reynolds will encourage more direct investment in Iowa by Japanese businesses. "We have Japanese companies that are located in Iowa," … [Read more...]
Buttigieg says there’s real cost to Trump’s broken RFS promises
Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg says President Trump isn't keeping his promises to Iowa's agricultural community when it comes to the Renewable Fuels Standard. "Actions speak louder than words and the president says he cares about farmers, but if you look what he's done with the … [Read more...]
Biden questions President Trump’s deal-making skills
Former Vice President Joe Biden started a campaign swing through eastern Iowa today, offering a critique of President Trump's trade policies. "He's great at the 'Art of the Deal' isn't he?" Biden asked rhetorically, mentioning the title of one of Trump's books. "Every farmer who thinks they're … [Read more...]