A delegation of Iowa pork producers and industry officials is now in Korea after spending several days in Japan on what's being called a "meat mission." Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, spoke with Iowa reporters from Seoul and says they've kept a tight schedule of … [Read more...]
Campaign Countdown: state ag secretary race
An incumbent who's been in the post for seven months faces two challengers in the race to be Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture for the next four years. Iowa's long-time State Ag Secretary Bill Northey resigned in March to take a job in the USDA. Governor Reynolds appointed Mike Naig to the post. … [Read more...]
Wet weather and late harvest cause issues for manure spreading
The wet weather and delayed has created problems for livestock producers who want to apply manure to fields this fall. The DNR's Ken Hessenius says the rainfall has also helped fill up manure storage areas and finding a way to draw them down hasn't been easy. "We've been getting a few phone calls … [Read more...]
Ames, Council Bluffs, Quad Cities compete for U.S.D.A. facilities
Two cities in Iowa have submitted proposals to the U.S.D.A. as the agency considers new locations for the headquarters of the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. According to Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the proposals … [Read more...]
Leader of Iowa pork producers sees optimism as numbers hit a record
This time of year is when Iowa pork producers see a large inventory of hogs, as consumers cut back on backyard barbecues. The latest reports show a record number of hogs. Gregg Hora of Fort Dodge, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says despite recent trade tariffs that hurt … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst says new Farm Bill may emerge in lame duck session
Republican Senator Joni Ernst says she's still hopeful a group of negotiators can agree on a new Farm Bill, but she says that may not happen until after next month's election. Ernst is the only Iowan on the congressional committee trying to come up with a compromise. The 2014 Farm Bill expired … [Read more...]
Economist: hog producers will start seeing a profit after fall loses
A Midwest ag economist is predicting a return to profitability for pork producers. But, Purdue University's Chris Hurt says the turnaround likely won't come until sometime next year. Back in August, Hurt suggested pork producers could face losses this fall that haven’t been seen since the late … [Read more...]
Reynolds and Naig say USMCA trade deal a positive step
Republican office-holders in Iowa are celebrating this weekend's break-through on a deal that will replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. President Trump calls it the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement. Governor Kim Reynolds says she's thrilled the stalemate has been broken. "Canada and … [Read more...]
NAFTA break-through, reports indicate it’ll be renamed USMCA
Several media organizations reported late Sunday night that negotiations between the U.S. and Canada have resulted in a new-fangled NAFTA -- and President Trump will rebrand the trade deal as the USMCA. Midnight on September 30 was the deadline President Trump set for renegotiating the North … [Read more...]
Iowa sees an increase in number of hogs, still top producer in U.S.
Iowa is holding onto the top spot in the country when it comes to producing pigs. The U.S.D.A.'s latest inventory of all hogs and pigs in the country was 75.5 million as of September 1st, which is up 3% from June. The report shows Iowa has 23.6 million pigs -- increasing 4% from the previous … [Read more...]